Leland Darreyl Gillette

Gillette, Leland Darreyl of St. Charles, Missouri, died on Sunday, July 10, 2011 at the age of 90. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Dorothy (nee: Wolter). Loving father of Tom (Holly) Gillette, Anne (Mike) Woods, and Susan (Tim) Deppe; and dear grandfather of Clare, Helena, and Rod Gillette, Ben Woods, Erin, Andrew, and Adelaide Deppe. Leland is also survived by siblings, Marshall (Jean) Gillette and Joanie (Dallas) Barteau; in-laws, Arlie Wolter and Shirley Wolter; numerous nieces and nephews, and lifelong friends. Leland was also preceded in death by his parents, Gladys (Rather) and James Francis Gillette; and his siblings, Irene (Blackhurst), James, George, Mary Lou (Powers), Motie, and Robert. Leland was born in Mountain Grove, Missouri, attended a one-room schoolhouse, grew up on Dardenne Island in the Mississippi River, and during the Great Depression he graduated from St. Charles High, but left high school for a year to support his family, before later serving his country during WWII in the Pacific. Before marrying Dorothy in 1954, Leland worked as a heavy equipment operator, working on the new I-70. Leland and Dorothy owned and operated Parkview Gardens Florist and Greenhouses as sole owners since 1961. Dad and mom were both active in many organizations, and kept a keen interest in the business even in their later years. Memorials may be made to St. Charles Municipal Band, The St. Charles County Historical Society, or Immanuel Lutheran School of St. Charles.