Donald R. Gillette, 86, of Niles, passed away on Wednesday, April 23, 2014, at Lakeland Regional Hospital in St. Joseph, Mich., following a brief illness.

He was born on Oct. 24, 1927, in Joliet, Ill. to the late Ralph E. and Helen E. (Cutchin) Gillette.

Don enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in January of 1946, serving his country proudly during WWII and received an honorable discharge in the fall of 1947. In 1951 He went to work for National Standard, retiring in 1982. On July 1, 1960, Don married Marjorie D. Harper at a ceremony in Niles.

He was a member of Fairland Christian Church in Niles and enjoyed singing, playing golf, and solving word search and jumbo puzzles.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Rebecca Forman, a brother, Keith E. Gillette and a son-in-law Ronald Becker.

Don is survived by his loving wife Marjorie Gillette, of Niles; a son Jeffrey Gillette of Niles, a daughter Deborah Becker of Buchanan; a son-in-law Robert Forman of Holiday, Fla.; four grandchildren, Dean Gillette, Travis Asmus, Jason and Jonathan Becker; and a sister, Carol (Phil) Scott of Humboldt, Ariz.

A time of visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, April 27, 2014, at Brown Funeral Home at 521 E. Main Street in Niles. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, April 28, 2014, at Mission Hills Memorial Chapel, 61453 M-51 in Niles with Pastor Don Fleischman officiating.

An interment will follow at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends following the funeral services at Fairland Christian Church for a time of fellowship.

Memorial contributions may be made in Don’s memory to Fairland Christian Church- Building Fund 1811 River Bluff Street, Niles, MI 49120.

Photos, memories and condolences may be left for the family on our website at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com or on our Facebook at www.Facebook.com/BrownFuneralHomeNiles.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Niles.