Joseph Gale Gillett

DECLO – Joseph Gale Gillett, an 81-year-old resident of Declo, passed away peacefully with family surrounding him on Sunday, March 20, 2016, at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Boise.

Gale was born May 8, 1934, in Declo, Idaho, the oldest child of Joseph Andreas and Maida Ingram Gillett. He had three brothers and two sisters. Following graduation from Declo High School, Gale attended meat cutting school in Toledo, Ohio. He then served in the Southern States mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints beginning in 1954. Upon his release, he served his country in the United States Army. On Aug. 25, 1960, Gale married Jolene Jensen, the daughter of Orland Ardell and Lorna Bruesch Jensen, in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple.

He was an active member of his church and had served as assistant Scout Master, ward clerk, counselor in a bishopric, Sunday school teacher, a member of the stake high council, and in the Primary. Gale has served in a number of civic responsibilities, including: the Volunteer Fire Department, water master and councilman for the City of Declo, and was a school bus driver for many years. He owned and operated Gillette’s Store and Meat Cutting Plant and served his clients very well.

He is survived by his wife, Jolene Gillett of Declo; eight children, Darwin (Sandy) Gillett, Janet (Kevin) Mangum, Cindy (Kelly) Mangum, and Gayla Stuart (Billy Peralez) all of Declo, Tanya (Greg) Kowitz of Boise, Greg (Justene) Gillett of Rupert, Kent (Kassie) Gillett of Filer, and Stan (Brandy) Gillett of Caldwell; 23 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Ted (Sharon) Gillett of Paradise, Utah, Dan (Gini) Gillett of Declo, and David (DelRae) Gillett of Sandy, Utah; and two sisters, Christine (Veldon) Hill of Nampa, and Diane (James) Toronto of Provo, Utah.

Gale was preceded in death by his parents; and two great-grandsons, Jaxson Layne Jones, and Jarrett Layne Jones

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 25, at the Declo LDS Stake Center, 213 W. Main St., in Declo, with Brett C. Anthon officiating. Burial will be in the Declo Cemetery with military rites provided by the Mini-Cassia Veterans Organization.

Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Thursday, March 24, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Friday at the church.