Richard Eldon Gillet

Richard Eldon Gillet, 81, of Corning, Iowa, passed away with his family present, Thursday, July 15, 2021, at CHI Bergan Mercy Hospital, Omaha, Nebraska. Funeral Services will be 1:00 P.M., Wednesday, July 21, 2021, at Pearson Family Funeral Service & Cremation Center, 701 7th Street, Corning, Iowa with Pastor Ben Quinlan officiating. Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery, Corning, Iowa. Open visitation, with family receiving friends will be 6:00 – 9:00 P.M., Tuesday, July 20, 2021, at the funeral home. Memorials may be directed to the American Heart Association and/or the American Diabetes Association. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.pearsonfuneralhomes.com.

Richard Eldon Gillet, the son of Clifford Eldon and Maude Alice (Fetrow) Gillet was born October 16, 1939 in Red Oak Iowa. Richard graduated from Corning High School, Corning, Iowa with the Class of 1957. Richard served his country in the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged on September 18, 1959. Richard was united in marriage to Carolyn LaVerta Walker on September 30, 1959. Three children were born to bless this union: Dale, Suzanne, and Gary.

Richard began farming with his father and bought the Dan Turner farm in the early 1960’s. He raised Angus cattle, hogs, and sheep. His farm was diversified including corn, soybeans, hay and oats. Richard was a very hard worker and in addition to farming he worked numerous additional jobs. These included working at a grocery store; plumbing work for Dale Lenz; work for Adams County secondary roads, and doing small engine repair. Richard then started working for the United States Postal Service as a rural mail carrier. He did this for 25 years until his retirement.

Richard was a member of the Rural Carriers Association, the Farm Bureau, the National Rifle Association, and a former member of the Crestland CO-OP. Richard had many interests and enjoyed collecting antiques, hunting and trapping, swap meets, driving to Lake Icaria, tractor shows and traveling to country music shows. Richard especially enjoyed time with his family on their annual family vacations. He will be greatly missed.

Left to cherish Richard’s memory are his children: Dale (Wilma) Gillet, Glenwood, Iowa, Suzanne Gillet-Bialkowsky, Carson, Washington, Gary (Kari) Gillet, Richfield, Minnesota, grandchildren: Elizabeth Bialkowsky, Cathy Gillet, Jonathon Gillet, Rutger Bialkowsky, Leah Gillet, Alex Gillet, Melanie Gillet, Lily Gillet, great-grandson, Xander Owens, and numerous other relatives and friends.

Preceding Richard in death were his parents and wife, Carolyn.