Melvin A. Gillis
April 25, 1942 ~ August 22, 2022 (age 80)
Melvin A. Gillis, 80, of Petoskey and formerly of Midland, passed peacefully on Monday, August 22, at Bay Bluffs in Harbor Springs, following an 8-year battle with Alzheimer's Disease.
He was born Archibald Melvin Gillis on Cape Bretton Island in Waterford, Nova Scotia, on April 25, 1942, to Donald F. and Margaret "Peg" (MacLellan) Gillis. Mel's family immigrated to the United States in the late 1940's settling in the town of Winn, Michigan, where they lived for several years until moving to Mount Pleasant. Mel graduated from Sacred Heart Catholic High School, Class of 1960.
On June 15, 1963, Mel married Sharon Lee Sponseller at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Mount Pleasant. Together they moved with Mel's career living in the communities of Mount Pleasant, Midland, and Petoskey and then again in Midland. They shared many beautiful years, the same joys, and challenges we all face. At the core of their relationship was always love. Mel and Sharon had three children, Rick, Chery, and Lynnsey. Sharon sadly preceded Mel in death on May 5, 2019.
In 1958 Mel began a life-long career in the grocery business when he went to work for Giant Supermarket in Mount Pleasant. Mel grew with the company, becoming its youngest Store Manager in 1971 at its Petoskey location. Mel received another promotion several years later, becoming a District Supervisor. In the early 1990s, Mel and his family moved from Petoskey to Midland. He left the Giant family of businesses when he accepted a position with SuperValu's wholesale grocery supply chain. It would be an understatement to say Mel was a workaholic. He lived to work. He retired after nearly 6 decades in the grocery business, grudgingly and only because he recognized his oncoming cognitive decline. Mel's friends know without hesitation that his goal in all things was to provide his customers and colleagues with loyal and caring support.
Mel was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Petoskey Area Jaycees, and the Moose Club. His Catholic faith was essential to his life, and he was an active member of St. Francis Xavier and Blessed Sacrament Catholic Communities.
Mel's surviving family members include his children, Rick (Joy) Gillis of Petoskey, Chery (Dave) Walter of Grand Blanc, and Lynnsey (Dan) Bechtel of Midland. His grandchildren are Nickie (Adam) Machelski of Petoskey, Kaity (Blake) Biewer of Winona, Mississippi, Jake Walter of Chicago, Kailey Walter of Grand Rapids, Nathan Bechtel, Grace Bechtel, and Maggie Bechtel all of Midland. Mel's great-grandchildren are Audrey Machelski and Wynn Biewer. Mel was close to his in-laws, Betty Lou Sponseller (Ralph Brown), Deb Alexander, Deb Coates, and Bob Strauss, as well as a host of extended Cape Breton family members. Including Sharon, Mel was preceded in death by his sisters, Elaine Gillis and Eileen Strauss, and by his beautiful granddaughter, Emma Bechtel.
Mel's life will be remembered and celebrated on Saturday, August 27 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church; Fr. Greg McCallum will officiate. Visitation will occur on Friday evening from 4-7p.m. at Stone Funeral Home and then again Saturday morning in the gathering space at the church, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Mel will rest next to his wife Sharon at Greenwood Cemetery; Rev. David Behling will lead the interment service.
Those wishing to remember Mel through a charitable donation are asked to consider Bay Bluffs of Harbor Springs, where Mel has been a resident for the last three years. Mel's family will forever be grateful to the entire staff of Bay Bluffs, who never failed to care for Mel's needs in every way possible. This community is very fortunate to have this rare gem in our midst. We are doubly lucky that Bay Bluffs is staffed by amazing people who provide such loving care daily.
April 25, 1942 ~ August 22, 2022 (age 80)
Melvin A. Gillis, 80, of Petoskey and formerly of Midland, passed peacefully on Monday, August 22, at Bay Bluffs in Harbor Springs, following an 8-year battle with Alzheimer's Disease.
He was born Archibald Melvin Gillis on Cape Bretton Island in Waterford, Nova Scotia, on April 25, 1942, to Donald F. and Margaret "Peg" (MacLellan) Gillis. Mel's family immigrated to the United States in the late 1940's settling in the town of Winn, Michigan, where they lived for several years until moving to Mount Pleasant. Mel graduated from Sacred Heart Catholic High School, Class of 1960.
On June 15, 1963, Mel married Sharon Lee Sponseller at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Mount Pleasant. Together they moved with Mel's career living in the communities of Mount Pleasant, Midland, and Petoskey and then again in Midland. They shared many beautiful years, the same joys, and challenges we all face. At the core of their relationship was always love. Mel and Sharon had three children, Rick, Chery, and Lynnsey. Sharon sadly preceded Mel in death on May 5, 2019.
In 1958 Mel began a life-long career in the grocery business when he went to work for Giant Supermarket in Mount Pleasant. Mel grew with the company, becoming its youngest Store Manager in 1971 at its Petoskey location. Mel received another promotion several years later, becoming a District Supervisor. In the early 1990s, Mel and his family moved from Petoskey to Midland. He left the Giant family of businesses when he accepted a position with SuperValu's wholesale grocery supply chain. It would be an understatement to say Mel was a workaholic. He lived to work. He retired after nearly 6 decades in the grocery business, grudgingly and only because he recognized his oncoming cognitive decline. Mel's friends know without hesitation that his goal in all things was to provide his customers and colleagues with loyal and caring support.
Mel was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Petoskey Area Jaycees, and the Moose Club. His Catholic faith was essential to his life, and he was an active member of St. Francis Xavier and Blessed Sacrament Catholic Communities.
Mel's surviving family members include his children, Rick (Joy) Gillis of Petoskey, Chery (Dave) Walter of Grand Blanc, and Lynnsey (Dan) Bechtel of Midland. His grandchildren are Nickie (Adam) Machelski of Petoskey, Kaity (Blake) Biewer of Winona, Mississippi, Jake Walter of Chicago, Kailey Walter of Grand Rapids, Nathan Bechtel, Grace Bechtel, and Maggie Bechtel all of Midland. Mel's great-grandchildren are Audrey Machelski and Wynn Biewer. Mel was close to his in-laws, Betty Lou Sponseller (Ralph Brown), Deb Alexander, Deb Coates, and Bob Strauss, as well as a host of extended Cape Breton family members. Including Sharon, Mel was preceded in death by his sisters, Elaine Gillis and Eileen Strauss, and by his beautiful granddaughter, Emma Bechtel.
Mel's life will be remembered and celebrated on Saturday, August 27 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church; Fr. Greg McCallum will officiate. Visitation will occur on Friday evening from 4-7p.m. at Stone Funeral Home and then again Saturday morning in the gathering space at the church, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Mel will rest next to his wife Sharon at Greenwood Cemetery; Rev. David Behling will lead the interment service.
Those wishing to remember Mel through a charitable donation are asked to consider Bay Bluffs of Harbor Springs, where Mel has been a resident for the last three years. Mel's family will forever be grateful to the entire staff of Bay Bluffs, who never failed to care for Mel's needs in every way possible. This community is very fortunate to have this rare gem in our midst. We are doubly lucky that Bay Bluffs is staffed by amazing people who provide such loving care daily.
Melvin A. Gillis
April 25, 1942 ~ August 22, 2022 (age 80)
Melvin A. Gillis, 80, of Petoskey and formerly of Midland, passed peacefully on Monday, August 22, at Bay Bluffs in Harbor Springs, following an 8-year battle with Alzheimer's Disease.
He was born Archibald Melvin Gillis on Cape Bretton Island in Waterford, Nova Scotia, on April 25, 1942, to Donald F. and Margaret "Peg" (MacLellan) Gillis. Mel's family immigrated to the United States in the late 1940's settling in the town of Winn, Michigan, where they lived for several years until moving to Mount Pleasant. Mel graduated from Sacred Heart Catholic High School, Class of 1960.
On June 15, 1963, Mel married Sharon Lee Sponseller at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Mount Pleasant. Together they moved with Mel's career living in the communities of Mount Pleasant, Midland, and Petoskey and then again in Midland. They shared many beautiful years, the same joys, and challenges we all face. At the core of their relationship was always love. Mel and Sharon had three children, Rick, Chery, and Lynnsey. Sharon sadly preceded Mel in death on May 5, 2019.
In 1958 Mel began a life-long career in the grocery business when he went to work for Giant Supermarket in Mount Pleasant. Mel grew with the company, becoming its youngest Store Manager in 1971 at its Petoskey location. Mel received another promotion several years later, becoming a District Supervisor. In the early 1990s, Mel and his family moved from Petoskey to Midland. He left the Giant family of businesses when he accepted a position with SuperValu's wholesale grocery supply chain. It would be an understatement to say Mel was a workaholic. He lived to work. He retired after nearly 6 decades in the grocery business, grudgingly and only because he recognized his oncoming cognitive decline. Mel's friends know without hesitation that his goal in all things was to provide his customers and colleagues with loyal and caring support.
Mel was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Petoskey Area Jaycees, and the Moose Club. His Catholic faith was essential to his life, and he was an active member of St. Francis Xavier and Blessed Sacrament Catholic Communities.
Mel's surviving family members include his children, Rick (Joy) Gillis of Petoskey, Chery (Dave) Walter of Grand Blanc, and Lynnsey (Dan) Bechtel of Midland. His grandchildren are Nickie (Adam) Machelski of Petoskey, Kaity (Blake) Biewer of Winona, Mississippi, Jake Walter of Chicago, Kailey Walter of Grand Rapids, Nathan Bechtel, Grace Bechtel, and Maggie Bechtel all of Midland. Mel's great-grandchildren are Audrey Machelski and Wynn Biewer. Mel was close to his in-laws, Betty Lou Sponseller (Ralph Brown), Deb Alexander, Deb Coates, and Bob Strauss, as well as a host of extended Cape Breton family members. Including Sharon, Mel was preceded in death by his sisters, Elaine Gillis and Eileen Strauss, and by his beautiful granddaughter, Emma Bechtel.
Mel's life will be remembered and celebrated on Saturday, August 27 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church; Fr. Greg McCallum will officiate. Visitation will occur on Friday evening from 4-7p.m. at Stone Funeral Home and then again Saturday morning in the gathering space at the church, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Mel will rest next to his wife Sharon at Greenwood Cemetery; Rev. David Behling will lead the interment service.
Those wishing to remember Mel through a charitable donation are asked to consider Bay Bluffs of Harbor Springs, where Mel has been a resident for the last three years. Mel's family will forever be grateful to the entire staff of Bay Bluffs, who never failed to care for Mel's needs in every way possible. This community is very fortunate to have this rare gem in our midst. We are doubly lucky that Bay Bluffs is staffed by amazing people who provide such loving care daily.
April 25, 1942 ~ August 22, 2022 (age 80)
Melvin A. Gillis, 80, of Petoskey and formerly of Midland, passed peacefully on Monday, August 22, at Bay Bluffs in Harbor Springs, following an 8-year battle with Alzheimer's Disease.
He was born Archibald Melvin Gillis on Cape Bretton Island in Waterford, Nova Scotia, on April 25, 1942, to Donald F. and Margaret "Peg" (MacLellan) Gillis. Mel's family immigrated to the United States in the late 1940's settling in the town of Winn, Michigan, where they lived for several years until moving to Mount Pleasant. Mel graduated from Sacred Heart Catholic High School, Class of 1960.
On June 15, 1963, Mel married Sharon Lee Sponseller at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Mount Pleasant. Together they moved with Mel's career living in the communities of Mount Pleasant, Midland, and Petoskey and then again in Midland. They shared many beautiful years, the same joys, and challenges we all face. At the core of their relationship was always love. Mel and Sharon had three children, Rick, Chery, and Lynnsey. Sharon sadly preceded Mel in death on May 5, 2019.
In 1958 Mel began a life-long career in the grocery business when he went to work for Giant Supermarket in Mount Pleasant. Mel grew with the company, becoming its youngest Store Manager in 1971 at its Petoskey location. Mel received another promotion several years later, becoming a District Supervisor. In the early 1990s, Mel and his family moved from Petoskey to Midland. He left the Giant family of businesses when he accepted a position with SuperValu's wholesale grocery supply chain. It would be an understatement to say Mel was a workaholic. He lived to work. He retired after nearly 6 decades in the grocery business, grudgingly and only because he recognized his oncoming cognitive decline. Mel's friends know without hesitation that his goal in all things was to provide his customers and colleagues with loyal and caring support.
Mel was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Petoskey Area Jaycees, and the Moose Club. His Catholic faith was essential to his life, and he was an active member of St. Francis Xavier and Blessed Sacrament Catholic Communities.
Mel's surviving family members include his children, Rick (Joy) Gillis of Petoskey, Chery (Dave) Walter of Grand Blanc, and Lynnsey (Dan) Bechtel of Midland. His grandchildren are Nickie (Adam) Machelski of Petoskey, Kaity (Blake) Biewer of Winona, Mississippi, Jake Walter of Chicago, Kailey Walter of Grand Rapids, Nathan Bechtel, Grace Bechtel, and Maggie Bechtel all of Midland. Mel's great-grandchildren are Audrey Machelski and Wynn Biewer. Mel was close to his in-laws, Betty Lou Sponseller (Ralph Brown), Deb Alexander, Deb Coates, and Bob Strauss, as well as a host of extended Cape Breton family members. Including Sharon, Mel was preceded in death by his sisters, Elaine Gillis and Eileen Strauss, and by his beautiful granddaughter, Emma Bechtel.
Mel's life will be remembered and celebrated on Saturday, August 27 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church; Fr. Greg McCallum will officiate. Visitation will occur on Friday evening from 4-7p.m. at Stone Funeral Home and then again Saturday morning in the gathering space at the church, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Mel will rest next to his wife Sharon at Greenwood Cemetery; Rev. David Behling will lead the interment service.
Those wishing to remember Mel through a charitable donation are asked to consider Bay Bluffs of Harbor Springs, where Mel has been a resident for the last three years. Mel's family will forever be grateful to the entire staff of Bay Bluffs, who never failed to care for Mel's needs in every way possible. This community is very fortunate to have this rare gem in our midst. We are doubly lucky that Bay Bluffs is staffed by amazing people who provide such loving care daily.
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