Melvin Eugene “Gene” Gillette

84 year old Melvin Eugene “Gene” Gillette of Smithville died Sunday after a long illness.
A retired owner/operator of Gillette Service Center, a retired United States Air Force veteran for 20 years of the Korean and Vietnam wars, and a member of the Baptist Church, he was the son of the late Charlie L. and Cleo Della Neeley Gillette. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Ralph Gillette; niece, Mildred Lee; and granddaughter, Amber Nicole Tilton.
He is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Gena and Steve Tilton of McMinnville; one son, Greg Lee Gillette; two grandsons, Kaleb and Nicholas Tilton of McMinnville; sister-in-law, Maureen Gillette of the Dibrell Community; special friend, Jo Grace Lowery of Smithville; and many more friends and family survive.
He was a member of American Legion Post 173, VFW Post 5064 and the Lions Club. He was a volunteer for many years with the VA Hospital.
The funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday at High’s Chapel with Bill Hall officiating. Burial will follow in New Union Cemetery, DeKalb County with full military honors administered by VFW Post 5064 and American Legion Post 173. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday and from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service Wednesday at High’s.
High Funeral Home in McMinnville is in charge of the arrangements.