James W. Gillis, 90, of Defiance, passed away on Sunday, November 1, 2020 at Glenn Park of  Defiance. He was born on May 4, 1930 to Raymond and Irene (Casey) Gillis in Detroit, Michigan. He attended school at Southeastern High School, he left high school early and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, 1st Marine Division from 1948-1952. Jim served as a Corporal during the Korean War as a radio operator and he fought at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir.  On January 8, 1955 he married Patricia Brunsman, who preceded him in death on July 4, 2015. Jim worked  at Michigan Bell Telephone, General Motors and Femco in St. Clair Shores, MI.  He and Patricia moved to Defiance in 1976 so he could be President/CEO of Defiance Precision Products until his retirement in 1992.

While living in St. Clair Shores, Jim was elected to the Lake Shore School District Board of Education where he served 2 terms.  He was a  founding member of St. Margaret's Catholic Church. He was an usher and alter server. In Defiance, he was a member of the YMCA Board for 12 years, Chamber of Commerce President for 4 years, ProMedica Defiance Regional Hospital Board Member for 9 years, Chairman for 3 years, Auxiliary member 20 years, and Treasurer for 5 years, Quadco Rehabilitation Board for 6 years and Treasurer for 4 years, Airport Authority Board for 6 years, Hospice volunteer for 20 years, Alzheimer's volunteer for 6 years, United Way member for 30 years, and past Chairman, Catholic Jail Ministry for 20 years, Defiance Foundation Board for 8 years, Ohio Telephone Board for 10 years, Medical Reserve Corps/Red Cross Disaster Team for 4 years, St. Vincent De Paul Society for 4 years as Treasurer, Friends of Defiance Public Library board member, where he delivered books to homebound readers, and was a Blood Donor for 25 years. He was also a Rotarian. He was a faithful member of St. John Catholic Church since 1976, served on the Finance Committee, Business Team, and was a  Eucharistic Lay minister.  Jim was a member of Legatus, a Catholic organization for business executives who commit to live by and run their business by faith.  He was on the Defiance College Board of Trustees for 16 years, and a member of the Pilgrim Society.  Jim served in the Chosin Few, an organization for veterans who survived the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir, and he was a Marine Corps. League member serving as past Commandant.

Jim enjoyed camping, sailing, scuba driving, golfing, playing poker and euchre, and traveling with his family and friends. He felt very blessed and sincerely believed in giving back to his community. Jim along with his wife had the honor of  two private audiences and received Holy Communion from Pope John Paul II, now St. John Paul the Great. In 2017 during the Historical Military Tour of South Korea, he had the honor of having dinner at the invitation of the President and First Lady of South Korea, President Moon Jae-In, and First Lady Kim Jung-Sook.  The USMC 1st Marine Division liberated thousands of North Korean refugees during the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir, including President Moon's Grandmother. Jim is survived by his loving family, Marge (Kevin) Hambel, of Olney, MD, Matt (Laura) Gillis, of Warsaw, IN, Theresa Gillis, of Phoenix, AZ, Mark (Toby) Gillis, of Defiance, OH, Michele (Aric) Diehl, of Defiance, OH, 9 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, and 6 siblings. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2020 from 2:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Schaffer Funeral Home in Defiance. Due to the recent pandemic, masks and social distancing are required to enter the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at St. John's Catholic Church, with Fr. Doug Taylor officiating. Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery, with graveside military rites accorded by VFW #3360. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to Holy Cross Catholic School, or Marine Corp League Herman Hesselschwardt Unit. Online condolences can be given at www.Schafferfh.com.