GILLETT, MICHAEL DEAN "MIKE", 63 , passed away on Sunday, September 6, 2020 at Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center in Wichita.

M ike was born on November 19 ^th , 1956 in Junction City to Robert and Darlene Gillett. The family moved to a few cities in Kansas, but eventually settled in Chapman and graduated from Chapman High in 1974.

W hile attending Chapman High School, he played tennis and placed 3 ^rd in the State Championship. After graduating, his family moved to Wichita where he met his wife Lenora Cornell. They were married on February 24, 1978 at the Woodlawn United Methodist Church.

M ike and Lenora joined the United States Army together in 1987 and was stationed in Fort Carson, Colorado. Three years later they welcomed their daughter, Christine Gillett (Kerlick) in the world. In 1991, Mike was deployed to South Korea and stationed in Camp Casey for the next year. After Mike was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army, the family moved to Wichita, KS.

M ike retired from the El Dorado State Correctional Facility and then finished his career with the BNSF Railroad where he happily retired in 2019.

T hroughout his life, Mike enjoyed spending time with family and friends, watching the Kansas City Chiefs, fishing, traveling the country with Lenora, and spending time with his new grandson, Logan. Family and friends remember Mike as a funny, loving guy and someone they could always rely on for a helping hand.

H e is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Lenora Gillett of El Dorado; his daughter and son-in-law Christine and Will Kerlick of Katy, TX; his one year old grandson, Logan Kerlick; his brother and sister-in-law, Tom and Susan Gillett of Newton and nephew and great nephew, Nick and Gavin Gillett also of Newton.

H e is proceeded in death by his parents and infant son.

F amily and friends are welcome to a viewing at the Heritage Funeral Home in El Dorado on Friday, September 11 between 4:30-6pm.

A graveside memorial service will be held at the Woodbine Cemetery in Woodbine, Kansas, on Friday, September 18th, 2020 at 3:00 PM.