Emerson Clay "Ike" Gillett
1929 - 2020
The youngest of four sons, Emerson
"Ike" Clay Gillett, was born to Claude Wallace and Mae
Emily McNutt Gillett at the Kiowa Indian Hospital at Fort Sill,
Oklahoma, on April 5, 1929. He died on Friday, December 4, 2020 at
the Kansas Christian Home in Newton, KS.
He grew up at the Kiowa Indian Agency
in Anadarko, OK where his father was an employee, and attended
Anadarko Public Schools, graduating in 1947. Ike was baptized at
First Christian Church, where his family was active. During his
senior year, he dedicated his life to Christian service.
He attended Oklahoma City University on
a Banning Scholarship, graduating in 1951.
While in high school and college, Ike
worked for Safeway Stores. Following graduation from OCU, he worked
full time for Safeway to earn money to attend Seminary.
He entered Phillips University College
of the Bible, Enid, OK, summer 1952, after being ordained by his home
church.
During seminary he worked at a Safeway
store in Enid, where he met his future wife, Christina M. Warkentien.
In 1954 he became student minister of a
Christian Church located near Dodge City.
Graduating from Phillips Seminary in
1955 Ike began serving Community Christian Church in Ponca City, OK.
He married Christina April 27, 1957.
Then came a one year ministry at First
Christian Church, Sallisaw, OK. Emily was born in 1959.
They moved to Stafford, Kansas in
February of 1960, with Ike ministering First Christian Church for 12
1/2 years. Mark was born in 1965.
Ike and Chris served First Christian
Church in Colby, KS for 14 years.
Their final official ministry was with
First Christian Church in Marysville, KS, lasting 8 years. After
retirement, they moved to the campus of Kansas Christian Home, in
Newton, KS.
While in Newton, Ike and Chris attended
First Christian Church, enjoying the fellowship of friends there and
on the campus of KCH. Ike led the Food Ministry of First Christian
for many years.
His love, Christina passed away on
November 9, 2001.
Ike will be remembered for loving his
family deeply and always joking with those around him. He gave such
joy.
Preceded in death by his wife
Christina, his parents in 1951, brothers Truman, Claude, Meriden and
niece Patricia.
Ike is survived by daughter Emily
Gillett Sewell and husband, Howard, and son, Mark W. Gillett and
wife, Julia, of Oklahoma City, and five grandchildren Gregory Randall
Medders and husband, Cuong Nguyen of Chicago, Jeffrey Clayton Medders
and partner, Dominique Grogan, of Denver, Aanika Jordan Gillett who
attends Culver-Stockton College, Matthew Allen Gillett, who attends
Lynchburg University and David Wallace Gillett who attends Classen
High School in OKC, as well as one nephew, Michael Gillett of
Longwood, Florida, dear love and friend, Joyce Lang, many beloved
friends and extended family.
Burial was held at Greenwood Cemetery,
Newton, Kansas with immediate family in attendance.
In Lieu of flowers, memorials to Kansas
Christian Home-Fellowship of John, and First Christian Church, Newton
are appreciated. Contributions may be sent to Broadway Colonial
Funeral Home, 120 E. Broadway, Newton, KS. 67114.
Condolences may be left at
www.broadwaycolonialfh.com
