Patrick Royal Gillis passed away on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at his home after a long illness.

He was born on July 4, 1945 to Royal and Marie (Stommel) Gillis. Pat graduated from Kaukauna High School in 1963. He joined the U.S. Army in 1963 through 1967.

He worked various jobs including at Badger Highway and the Calumet County road crew. His greatest passion, however, was working with horses, giving horse and carriage rides for weddings and special occasions. He also did hay rides and had riding stables. The only thing that took him away from his love of horses was his failing health.

Pat is survived by three brothers and sisters-in-law: Ken (Kathy) Gillis, Tom (Barbara) Gillis, and Mike (Liz) Gillis; two sisters: Kathleen Carley and Mary Jahnke. He is also survived by two sisters-in-law and two brothers-in-law: Barbara (Kieso) Gillis and Gloria Gillis, Walter Freund, and Thomas Williams; as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Royal and Marie Gillis; five brothers and sisters-in-law: Daniel, Jack, Gerald and Barbara (Schreiber) Gillis, Paul and Barbara (Robley) Gillis, and Wayne; three sisters: Judy and Jerry Weyenberg, Virginia Freund and Colleen Williams; brothers-in-law: Daren Carley and Earl Jahnke; two nieces: Teri (Gillis) Sanders and Tammy (Freund) Mann; and a nephew, Ben Gillis.

A Funeral Mass for Pat will be held on Friday, May 29, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John Sacred Heart Catholic Church, N369 Military Rd., Sherwood. Visitation will begin at the church at 9:00 a.m. and will continue until the time of the Mass. For online condolences, please visit www.verkuilenfh.com.