Betty (Soulsby) Gillette, 86, of Ottawa passed away on Monday August 5, 2024 following a tragic accident in rural Tonica.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 16, 2024 at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa, with Rev. Seamus Enright, Pastor, of the First United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 15, 2024 at the funeral home. Additional visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of services on Friday at the funeral home.
Betty was born on March 7, 1938 in Streator to Kenneth and Marie (Oster) Soulsby. Betty married Donald Gillette on December 29, 1956 at St. Stephens Church in Streator. Betty and her husband, Donald owned and together operated Gillette Parade Products for 30 years. Betty was a member of First united Methodist Church, Ottawa, The Women of the Moose, the Ballroom Dance Association, and the International Festival Association.
Betty is survived by her three children, Jane (Rodney) Schomas of Ottawa, Juli (Jeff) Stillwell of Ottawa, and Joyce Gillette-Cartina of Aurora; 13 grandchildren, Justin Nixon, Mindy Wiley, Jenae Kennelly, Mallorie Weygand, Jennifer Lancaster, Melissa Harden, Dawn Jacobs, Laura Goebel, Amy Anderson, Heidi Geiger, Harley Stillwell, Dominic Cartina and Dustin Cartina; 20 great grandchildren; 3 great-great grandsons; two brothers, Jack (Judy) Soulsby and Ed (Ann) Durdan; and one brother-in-law, Wayne Sandberg.
She was preceded in death by her parents Kenneth Soulsby and Marie (Oster) Durdan; her husband, Donald; one son, Jeff Gillette; and one sister, Linda Sandberg.
Pallbearers will be Harley Stillwell, Tim Lingle, Dominic Cartina, Dustin Cartina, Kayne Robinson, Justin Nixon, Gavin Harden and Collin Jeffries.
Memorials may be directed to the family to be designated later.
You may sign the online guestbook and share remembrances at www.MuellerFH.com. Mueller Funeral Home and Crematory 800 First Avenue, Ottawa, IL 61350 815-434-443