Philip L. Gillette

Philip L. Gillette, a renown Funeral Director and pillar of the Evanston community passed away peacefully in his home on July 24th, 2025, at the age of 86. He was born in Punta Gorda, Belize on July 15th, 1939, and was raised in Ladyville Belize. Before moving to the United States in 1965, he served in the Belize Police Force as a Detective.

Mr. Gillette migrated to the Evanston area and attended Chicago College. It was during this time he met Mr. John H. Thompson, owner of The House of Thompson Mortuary. While there he performed clerical and janitorial duties. His passion for helping families led him to enroll at Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Wheeling, IL.  He completed his degree and later passed the National Board Examination (NBE) and became a licensed funeral director and embalmer for the state of Illinois on September 30, 1982. Mr. John H. Thompson and Mr. Philip Gillette became an iconic team serving the citizens of Evanston and the surrounding Chicagoland areas. Upon Mr. Thompson's passing in 1999 he passed the torch of the business to Mr. Gillette and he became full owner of The House of Thompson Mortuary and later to be known as Thompson Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc. in 2018. Mr. Gillette served his community faithfully until his passing.

As busy as he was running his own funeral home, he still made time to give back to the community. He was a part of organizations such as the U.B.N.I, Concerned Belizeans, and the president of the Kiwanis Breakfast Club of Evanston.

His involvement in the community did not stop there. In 1984 he joined Bethany Baptist Church and served as chairman of Bethany’s Trustees Ministry for 14 years. He also led the church’s stain glass window campaign project. Additionally, he supported and sponsored Bethany youth camp and other educational programs.

His dedication was honored with the church’s Community Impact Award and proclamation from Mayor Stephen Hagerty on February 24th, 2019, as Philip L. Gillette day at Bethany Church.

On a more personal note, Mr. Gillette met the love of his life, Ellen Gillette in 2013 and they sealed their vows on March 5th, 2017. Since then, they have been inseparable and enjoyed many hobbies together such as fishing, gardening, dancing and going to the casino. Sitting under the gazebo and listening to music was something that brought them much joy. Ellen and Philip were a unit, and she stayed by his side until his last breath.

Mr. Gillette lived a beautiful life surrounded by many family members and friends. He is predeceased by his father Rudolph Gillette, his mother Ellen Rosita Gomez; his brothers Clinton, Michael, George; and his sister Brenda Gillette. He is also predeceased by his son John Gillette, and stepdaughter Athera.

He leaves to mourn, his wife, Ellen; stepdaughters Melissa and Kelsie, his children; Phyllis, Michael, Philip Gregory, Philippa, and Philip (PJ). He also leaves behind his grandchildren Noah, Nathan, and Carver; and his stepchildren Andre and Rashida..

He is survived by his siblings Morline, Cynthia, Horace, Eric, Charles, George, Rudolph Jr, Oscar, Louis, and Anna.

Philip Gillette is also survived by a host of nephews and nieces.

He will be missed greatly by his family, friends, his staff, the Evanston community, and anyone who knew him.

To celebrate his memory, we will be having a visitation on Friday, August 8th, 2025, from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm at Thompson Funeral & Cremation Services Inc. The funeral will be held the following day on Saturday, August 9th, 2025, with visitation at 10:00 am and funeral service beginning at 11:00 am at First Church of God Christian Life Center.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Evanston Own It and The United Belizeans of Northern Illinois (UBNI).

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