GILLES, Reuben Herman 1917-2004
GILLES, SEIBERT, RAUEN, WILLMARTH, HINES, NELSON, VYROSTECK, LANGENFELD
Posted By: Diane M Scott (email)
Date: 5/21/2011 at 10:39:00
Reuben Herman Gilles 1917-2004
Reuben Herman Gilles, 87, of Austin, Minnsota, died Tuesday, October 5, 2004, at his home from complications of emphysema and heart failure.
He was born July 18, 1917, in rural New Haven, Iowa, to Roy William and Theresa Mary (Seibert) Gilles. He grew up in Stacyville, Iowa and was a graduate of Visitation Catholic Elementary and High School.
After a position at the local creamery, Reuben was a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1937 to 1939. After a call from the Selective Service, Reuben entered into the United States Army in July 1941. He was assigned to Corps II and the 19th Engineer Combat Regiment and spent the duration as a water filter operator. His time overseas was spent in Ireland, England, North Africa, Sicily and Italy. Release from the Army came in July 1945. This career left him with seven battle stars after 30 months overseas.
On August 8, 1945, he was united in marriage to Ardella Emma Rauen at St. Augustine Catholic Church. They resided in Austin for 59 years. Reuben attended Austin Vocational School and served as a journeyman sheet metal worker for over 35 years. Much of that time was spent as a furnace and boiler repair technician. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Foresters and the American Legion Post #91. He enjoyed singing in the adult choir for many years.
Survivors include his wife: Ardella Gilles, Austin; six children: Norma (Charles) Willmarth, Bradenton, Fla.; Eileen (Patrick) Hines, Eagle Lake; Harold (Susan) Gilles, Portland, Ore.; Dolores (Gary) Nelson, St. Cloud; Cynthia (John) Vyrosteck, Hudson, Wis.; Kevin (Juanita) Gilles, Plymouth; 15 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sisters: Theresa (Greg) Langenfeld, Dunlop, Iowa; Elizabeth Hemann, Stacyville, Iowa; brother: Paul (Gertie) Gilles, Waterloo, Iowa; nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Wilfred, Wilmer, Vernon and Daniel; sisters: Marion Johnson and Adeline Krebsbach; daughter-in-law: Lani Kay Gilles.
A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2004, at the Church of St. Augustine with Father Joe Fogal officiating. There will be a 4:30 p.m. KC rosary and a 7:30 p.m. wake service on Friday at Mayer Funeral Home where friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. and also from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday.
Interment will be in Visitation Catholic Cemetery in Stacyville, Iowa with military rites by American Legion Post #91 of Austin and American Legion Post #569 of Stacyville. The casket bearers will be Jondell Hines, Joseph Hines, Jaymes Hines, Dan Johnson, Roger Krebsbach and Bob Gilles.
[ Austin Daily Herald, October 2004 ]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Photo of S/Sgt. (World War II) Reuben Gilles, from MITCHELL COUNTY HISTORY, 1989.
Mitchell Obituaries maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen