Debra Kay Gillisse

Debra (Debbie) Gottschling Gillisse, of Bay City, passed away Sunday morning, October 30, 2016 at McLaren Bay Region with her family by her side, age 64. She was born on November 9, 1951 in Bay City, the daughter of the late Carl and Dorothy (McLean) Gottschling. Debbie attended Bay City Central High School and graduated in 1969. She went on to marry her high school sweetheart Kenneth Charles Gillisse on August 16, 1969. Debbie has attended Corpus Christi Parish since childhood. She was retired from A&B Equipment since 2013. Throughout her life, she was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Debbie is survived by her husband of 47 years, Kenneth Gillisse; her two children, Brian Gillisse of Saginaw and Wendy (Phil) Smith of Bay City; her five cherished grandchildren, Quintin, Kaley and Trentin Smith of Bay City, Brianna of Midland and Natalie Gillisse of Bay City; her beloved great-granddaughter, Meila Lynn; her brother, Toby "Frank" Pockrandt and his friend Carol of Warren; two sisters-in-law, June Pockrandt of AuGres and Judy (Butch) Hagaman of Essexville; her brother-in-law, Rocky Gillisse of Bay City; along with many beloved nieces and nephews and a special cousin, Bonnie (Cavanaugh) Bourdon of Bay City. Debbie also had two lifelong friends, Cheryl (Tom) Tomczak and Jennifer (Roger) Scherzer, all of Bay City. Besides her parents, Debbie was also preceded in death by her brother, Robert Pockrandt; her father and mother-in-law, Charles and Midge (Roseanell) Gillisse; a brother-in-law, Jeffrey Gillisse; and two special cousins, Judith Wagner and Linda Tober.
The Funeral Liturgy and Rite of Committal will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 2, 2016 at Corpus Christi Parish, Holy Trinity Church. The Celebrant will be Rev. Fr. Robert J. Kelm. Private interment will be in Floral Gardens Cemetery. Friends may call at the Gephart Funeral Home, Inc. on Tuesday from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. Mrs. Gillisse will lie instate at the church on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Corpus Christi Parish or to the American Cancer Society. www.gephartfuneralhome.com