VINTON:  Louis "Lou" Porter Gillis, age 55, was found at his residence on Tuesday, September 23, 2008. He had died following a sudden illness..
     Graveside Services will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, September 27, 2008 at McBroom Cemetery near Shellsburg with Graveside Services and Military Rites conducted by members of Geo. G. Luckey American Legion Post #57, AMVETS Post #218, and Smith-Geater VFW Post #8884 of Vinton.  Phillips Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
     Lou was born February 25, 1953 at Vinton to Melvin and Laura (Marsh) Gillis and graduated from the Shellsburg High School in 1972.  From 1974 to 1978 he served his Nation in the US Army and was stationed in Okinawa and Korea.  Lou was a member of Geo. G. Luckey American Legion Post #57, AMVETS Post #218, and Smith-Geater VFW Post #8884 of Vinton.
     Lou had been employed at Theisen-Klein Tools in Amana and he enjoyed auto racing.
     He is survived by his sisters, Dorothy (Lenard) Armstrong of Atkins, and Sherry (Frank) Ham of Eufaula, OK.
     He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, James and George, and his sisters, Norma Gould and Arlene Garvin.