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Obituary of Arlene M. Gilles

Princeville – Arlene M. Gilles, 90, of Princeville passed away on Saturday, December 4, 2010 at 8:45 p.m. at her daughter’s residence.

She was born on December 23, 1919, in Castleton, Ill., to James and Marion Hughes Toft. She married Robert A. (Pete) Gilles on January 6, 1947, at St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Church in Princeville, Illinois. He passed on March 13, 1994, in Peoria. She was also preceded in death by one son, Edward Gilles; one grandson, Michael Gilles; one great-grandson, Tucker Baer; two sisters Darlene Gilles (twin) and Mary Majors; and one brother, John Toft.

Surviving is one son, Gary (Priscilla) Gilles of Edwards; four daughters, Kathleen (Victor) Carter of Wyoming; Barbara (Carl) Will of Princeville; Arlene (William) Cox of Edwards; and Mary Ann (Richard) Mercer of Princeville; 13 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren.

During WWII, Arlene worked in time study for LeTourneau in Peoria. She later worked as seasonal help for Princeville Canning Company.

She was a member of St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Church in Princeville.  Formerly, she was a very active parishioner of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Kickapoo where she was a member of the Senior Citizens Club, Altar and Rosary Society, and the WW Club of Kickapoo.  She was also a member of the VFW 1255 Ladies Auxiliary.

She answered the Lord’s call to teach the Catholic faith in 1937 at the age of 18 as a catechist for St. Mary of the Woods, Princeville.  She taught catechism for over 44 years at area churches, including, St. Clements’s in Dunlap, and St. Mary’s in Kickapoo.  In 1991, she was awarded by the Diocese of Peoria as Catechist of the Year for her outstanding contribution to Catholic education.

Arlene enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, always having time to play checkers, cards, and especially bingo at the family Christmas gathering. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, baking, and gardening.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday at St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Church in Princeville with the Rev. Patrick Riordan officiating.  Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday at Hammitt-Hott Funeral Home, with recitation of the Rosary at 8 p.m. Burial will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Kickapoo.

Memorial contributions may be made to PARC, SIDS, American Cancer Society, Children’s Hospital of Illinois NICU, or to the parish of your choice, St. Mary’s in Kickapoo or St. Mary of the Woods in Princeville. 

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