Josephine Gillis
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Josephine Gillis, 90, of Du Quoin, passed away at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 2, 2010 at the Fairview Nursing Center at Du Quoin.
Josephine was a homemaker and a sales clerk at Broadway Department Store. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Du Quoin. She was a member of the Euzelian Sunday School Class, a former children's Sunday School teacher and was also involved in other church activities. She had been a Hope Rebekah Lodge member for over 50 years.
She was born July 2, 1920 at Du Quoin, Ill., the daughter of Sam and Mary Ann (DiMaggio) Provenzano.
She married Willard G. Gillis on Aug. 3, 1940 at Du Quoin, Ill. and he preceded her in death on Jan. 4, 1997.
She is survived by one daughter - Carolyn A. Pierce of Du Quoin, one son - Grady D. Gillis and wife Vicki of Lovelock, N.Y., five grandchildren - Nancy Havens and husband David, David Pierce, Jay Pierce, Tony Gillis and wife Desi and Michael Gillis, nine great grandchildren - Kristen Havens, Melissa Havens, Devon Pierce, Ian Pierce, Kevin Pierce, Whitney Pierce, Ray Anna Gillis, Marcus Gillis and Isaac Gillis, one sister - Jennie Hampleman of League City, Tex., two brothers - Manny Provenzano of Powder Springs, Ga. and Sam Provenzano of Brooksville, Fla.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one grandson - John Pierce, one brother - Pete Provenzano, and one sister - Vencie Duncan.
Funeral services were at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 7, 2010 at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin with Rev. Joe Wagner officiating.
Friends called from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Thursday at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin.
Burial was in the Sunset Memorial Park at Du Quoin.
Friends may make memorials to the First Baptist Church Building Fund and will be accepted at the funeral home.
For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.