Ellen Kay (Hile) Gillette

Ellen Kay Hile Gillette, 85, Findlay, Ohio and Labelle, Florida, passed away peacefully on December 8, 2023, with her devoted children at her side. Preceded in death by her mother, Annabelle Kring and stepfather, William Kring, sister Marlene Fletcher, brother Fred Hile, and her beloved husband of 59 years, Ron. She was the proud mother of Bill (Stephanie) Gillette, and Deb (Ryan) Kocourek; loving grandmother to Nicole Gillette, Chase Kocourek, Caitlin (Ryan) Woods, and Gabrielle DiCioccio; and great grandmother to Rylee and Lucas DiCioccio and Rosalee Woods. She is survived by her brother, Darwin (Betty) Hile, nephews Steve (Rhonda) and Rodney Hile, family, and many friends.

Ellen was born in Van Lou, Ohio, on October 10, 1938, and married Ron on September 27, 1964. They settled in Rawson, Ohio, where they raised their children. She was a homemaker who gardened, canning the produce and fruit, helped her husband build 2 of their homes, and helped cut firewood that kept them warm in the Northern Ohio winters. After the kids were in school, she became a librarian in the Corey-Rawson School District. In 1987 she took an administrative position at the University of Findlay, Equine and Pre Vet department. After her retirement in 2000, they moved to Labelle. Ellen was an avid fisher, and spent many hours around the pond across from their home in Rawson. She holds the record for the largest rock bass caught at Cold Water Lake, Michigan. The family vacationed every year at Porter’s Place in Curtis, Michigan, in the UP, where she indulged in all her love of water sports: fishing, boating, and skiing. She was an active parent in the 4H horse show circuit. Ellen and Ron traveled the country on their Honda Goldwing trike, enjoying the sights everywhere. In Florida they became active members of their new community, Aqua Isles. Ellen joined the Red Hat Society, played cards, and rarely missed Tuesday night Bingo. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the wonderful staff at Harmony Trace, in Hilliard, Ohio, where they were cared for so lovingly in the last 2 years of their lives. A celebration of life will be held in the spring for both Ellen and Ron.

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