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Gilbert Ellis Obituary

Ellis, Gilbert "Gill" Keith beloved son of Mary Reich (the late Gilbert Junior), dear stepson of William Reich, fond brother of Terry (Melba) and Melinda Busch, fond uncle of Ashli. Visitation Saturday, Noon to 6:00 p.m. at Tohle Funeral Home, 4325 W. Lawrence Ave. Interment private. Info 773-685-4400 or www.tohlefuneralhome.com

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Published by Chicago Sun-Times on Aug. 28, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Gilbert Ellis

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Debbie Sanders

February 9, 2021

Rest in peace my friend ....

Marty

November 23, 2014

Rest in peace, Gilbert, and thank you for being a part of the best times of my life. My belated condolences to the Ellis family.

Dale Olmstead

September 10, 2009

My deepest sympathy to Birds family. He will be missed. I have only recently re-connected with Gil. I have been in touch by phone and as recently as Friday before the Margate get together we had a conversation that lasted about an hour. We laughed about things from our childhood. One night in the dead of winter Gil and a few others to include myself had gotten a little soused. The snow was deep and we were snow diveing. It was not long before we were all soaked to the bone. We went inside of the fieldhouse at Margate. We went to the locker room were we had clothes in our lockers. I changed into sweat clothes. Gilbert had only two sweat shirts in his locker. He put on a shirt and then, while useing the remaining shirt as a pair of pants we went out into the gym. It was open gym on a Friday night. We new most all who were there. The girls were playing vollyball and we immediatly started playing basketball. Needless to say, bird was flying all over the place and as I said he was wearing a shirt for trousers. He was hanging out all over the place. It was not long before bird caught the attention of Tony Griskey. Needless to say we were thrown out on our bums. It was one of the funniest things. We were laughing and having a great old time.I am sure those who grew up with Gil can picture this clown for all ages doing the above. A world without Gilbert in it is indeed a little less happy. I have always loved this man-child. I don't have many memories as a child that don't include Bird.

Nancy Emery

September 10, 2009

Gibert was a brother to Dickie and myself (Nancy) and Billy my brother !We all grew up together from grammer school (Goudy). Our hearts go out to his Mom and family. A mother or father should not have to bury their own child !Our hearts go out to his family and our friends !Gilbert had a heart of gold. Gilbert was always there for me when I needed help (Nancy). Gilbert loved it when we had our get-to-gethers with friends ! He will never be forgotten because he will alway's be in our hearts and soul's. !Gil would want us to continue with our lives and be happy !Tears roll down my face as I write these words. I know that Gilbert would want everyone to keep in touch with one another and that is what we all need to do ! Life is too short. Whenever we have a get together we should have a picture of Gil with us. He will alway's be in our heart and souls and never forgotten ! Why gilbert ? We will never let ya go ! Soon one day we will all be together. We Luv Ya !

Ken & Lisa Ratajczyk

September 8, 2009

Gil you always made us laugh and smile, the days at Rand McNally will be better remembered because of you. A warm man with a big heart. Until we meet again my friend, adios.

Devin Trayman

September 7, 2009

Well i've known Gil for my whole life. He was a great man to everyone, and that is why we love him. It is sad to see him go, but he is in a better place now. I know it will be a while, but we will see each other again. So untill then, goodbye.

Kat

September 7, 2009

Words cannot express what I feel at the loss of Gil. He was a part of my life for 37 years, good and bad. We had many great times, doing some crazy things, and my life will never be the same without him.So,until the time we meet again.....Later Dude

I love this photo! Shows how full of life Gil was. That's a napkin with a a stem from the floral center peice. as you can tell he really made it a gre

August 31, 2009

Kevin Nowak

August 30, 2009

Gil, it will be very lonely not to hear you say "SMOKEY MAN", it was smokey man hand me a beer, smokey man get in the jeep, smokey man there is nothing holding this grain siloh up. I considered Gilbert Keith Ellis to be my best friend in my whole life. Now, I would love to hear hime say one last time SMOKEY MAN. He was a very special man and if all that is said is he was loved by many that should be enough! But Gil was more than a son, brother, friend, and YES Lover. He brought joy to everyone who took the time to know him and I am grateful that he thought of me as one of his friends. So, As I say good bye to my best friend, I will ring it out one last time, SMOKEY MAN sends his love, compassion, and condolences to his family and friends.

Harry Delaney

August 29, 2009

I have a great picture of Gil at my first and so far only wedding. It's so classic and true to his life. He's wearing one of the fancy napkins as a head band. If my scanner wasn't dead I would surely post it.

Gail Gamble

August 29, 2009

I would like to express my deepest sympathy to Mr. Ellis family and friends. I didn't know him but I do know the devastating feeling of losing a family member. I draw comfort from the Bible and the hope that we can believe in that our Heavenly Father "will actually swallow up death forever, and the Sovereign Lord will certainly wipe the tears from all faces. And the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for Our Heavenly Father has spoken it"
I hope family and friends can find encouragement from this text.

August 28, 2009

Gill, you will be missed. We all lost a great friend. Our condolences to the family,. His memory will live forever.

Lynn, Shannon, and Bob Henry

Us at my wedding.

Amanda Guzman

August 28, 2009

A man that has been in my life from the day I was born. I've known him forever as Gilbert we've had fun from Chicago to New Orleans, and we WILL have fun again. You are always loved.

Gilbert Keith Ellis

August 28, 2009

Natalie Davis (Margolis)

August 28, 2009

My deepest sympathies to his family and friends. He was a great guy and will be missed by many.

Chuck Gomez

August 28, 2009

What a shame to hear of Gill's passing. We had many good times together back in the day rooming together with another guy by the name of Kevin "Smokey" Nowak. Gill and I also worked together at Rand McNally and had a lot of good times down at Margate Park in the summer time, blasting our rock and roll music from Gill's speakers on top of his Jeep. RIP my former roommate.

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