Luther Gillett

Luther Henry Gillett was born March 10, 1921, in a farm house north of Atlantic, Iowa, the son of Lester Henry and Martha Belle (Bragg) Gillett and passed away Saturday, January 16, 2010, at the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic.

Luther's family moved into Atlantic, at 905 Linn Street, where he lived with his parents and two sisters, Meroy and Martha. He attended Atlantic High School graduating in 1939.

Luther attended one year at the University of Iowa before returning to Atlantic to work at the Atlantic Post Office to save money. He completed a second year at the University before being drafted into the Army in 1942. He finished boot camp in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and then was sent to Boston College to study language for nine months. Luther served in the European and Pacific Theaters until 1945.

After returning home, he finished his last two years at the University of Iowa, graduating with a BA in the Romance Languages. He received a Fulbright Program Grant to study at the University of Paris in Lille for one additional year.

On February 15, 1959, Luther was united in marriage to Julia Margaret Eckenfels at the Atlantic Congregational Church. The couple had three daughters; Anne Michele, Pamela Leigh and Jacqueline Noelle. Julia passed away August 17, 1996.

Luther was an intelligent and independent man who loved his family. He worked for the United States Postal Service as a mail carrier in Atlantic for 42 years. Luther was a member of the Atlantic Library Board for over 30 years and enjoyed helping with the book sales. He collected Kewpies and was an honorary lifetime member of the International Rose O'Neill Club Foundation and many of the state affiliates, making favors for the many club meetings. Luther loved flowers and enjoyed caring for the flowers in his backyard. He had an amazing memory and loved discussing how Atlantic has changed over the years.

Luther is survived by his daughters, Anne (Eddie) Binns of Clarinda, IA, Pam (Scott) Schoenrock and Jacquie (Derek) Hotchkin all of Atlantic, IA; his grandchildren, Wendy (Brice) Lilly of St. Joseph, MO, Dustin Binns of Clarinda, IA, Benton Schoenrock of Des Moines, IA, and Clay Schoenrock of Atlantic, IA his sisters, Meroy Larson and Martha (Bill) Auerbach all of Atlantic, IA, his sister-in-law, Elaine (Dennis) Furne of Atlantic, IA; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Martha Gillett; his wife Julia; and his brother-in-law, Dean Larson.


Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 19, 2010, at 2:00 p.m. at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa.

Visitation will be held on Monday, January 18, 2010, from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., also at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa.

Burial will be in the Atlantic Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Atlantic Carnegie Public Library or the International Rose O'Neill Club Foundation.

Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa, is in charge of arrangements.