Loren Ray Gillis

Loren Ray Gillis, age 88 of Lerna, IL passed away on Sunday, November 24, 2024, at Heartland Senior Living in Neoga, IL. A funeral service in his honor will be held at 12:00 PM, Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, 1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, IL 61938. Reverend Ron Dickinson will officiate. A committal service will immediately follow at Janesville Cemetery in Lerna, IL. The visitation will be held at 10:00 AM until the time of service at the funeral home. The family has requested casual or sports apparel. Loren was born on March 30, 1936, in rural Charleston, IL to the late James W. and Maxine (Adkins) Gillis. He married Janis M. Critchelow on April 27, 1957; she preceded him in death on December 6, 2023. He is survived by their three children: Karen A. Skidis and husband Richard of Sullivan, IL; Kevin R. Gillis and wife Janice of Jewett, IL, Julie L. Ames and husband Gary of Lerna, IL; nine grandchildren: Chad A. Gillis and wife Christy of Lerna, IL, Chris R. Gillis and wife Kelly of Lovington, IL, Sean S. Gillis (Ary) of Minneapolis,MN, Aaron M. Skidis and wife Laura of St. Louis, MO, Rich D. Skidis of Sterling, VA, Heather R. Skidis of Bonaire, GA, Megan L. Ames (John Fear) of Effingham, IL, Nathan A. Ames of Lerna, IL, Cory J. Ames and wife Catherine of Mayfield, KY; fifteen great-grandchildren and one on the way; four great-great grandchildren; four sisters: Jane Goolsby of Rushville, IL, Sharon Gooch of Springfield, IL, Sara Miller of Springfield, IL and Becky Little and husband Louie of Oklahoma City, OK. He is preceded in death by one granddaughter, Heidi Skidis Hudson; one brother, Gene Gillis; and one sister, Alyce Davis. Loren attended the Immaculate Conception Church in Mattoon, IL. After thirty years of hard work, Loren retired as a forklift operator at Firestone Inc. in Decatur, IL. He was a charter member of Lerna Lions Club and Lincoln Fire Protection volunteer. Active and full of energy, Loren played sports for most of his life. At the age of forty, he was a founding member of the Mattoon Rocking Chair Softball Team. Loren played until he was eighty years old. He played ball with his children and grandchildren and never missed their games throughout the years. He enjoyed farming, NASCAR, square-dancing, gambling, and bowling. He was a kind-hearted man with a witty sense of humor. Loren leaves behind the legacy as a friend to many and loving husband, father, grandpa, and pappy. Memorials in his honor may be made to Janesville Cemetery. Please visit www.mitchell-jerdan.com or www.facebook.com/mitchelljerdanfuneralhome to light a virtual candle in his honor or share a memory with the family.

Tributes

Loren Ray Gillis

March 30, 1936 - November 24, 2024