Gill

The Gill family came to St. Joseph County before 1910. They settled in Penn Township, City of Mishawaka and have lived in the area ever since. Some have moved on to other areas/states but the majority have stayed in this area.

Deverter

This picture shows Deverter in the top left hand corner.

Myrtle is in front of him. The other couple is Alfred & Rose Hoestermarn.

Picture taken at Silver Beach. During a Dodge MFG. Picnic in 1910

Deverters Mother - Julia

Abt 1895

(Added 09/26/2006)

Deverter was born: 08 Aug 1877 in Silverwood, Fountain Co., IN. He was the son of Joseph Gill and Julia Griffin. Myrtle was born 23 Mar 1890 in Caycua, Vermillion Co., IN. She was the Daughter of James Sollars and Sarah M. McDonald. They applied for a marriage license in 1908, no marriage certificate has ever been found. They came to Mishawaka and started their family. They separated in 1913 and Deverter returned to Parke County and married again. Myrtle stayed here to remarry several times, all ending in divorce. 2nd husband was William Frank Bolinger , 3rd husband was Richard Lawrence Shultz; 4th husband John Treely. Myrtle died 29 Sep 1983 at the age of 93 and she is buried in the Fairview Cemetery in Mishawaka

In photo on left is Sarah M. McDonald-Sollars-Ross, on her right is Myrtle M. Sollars-Gill, on her right is Dr. John Ross, in front is Ralph when he was abt. 10 years of age. The second Photo on the right, is of a family gathering in the back row is Dr. John Ross, Sarah Ross, Deverter Gill, the next 2 are unknown. Front row- Unknown, Ralph Gill, Unknown, Myrtle, and Unknown. The unknowns are presumed to be the Ross children from a Previous marriage of John's. These photo's were taken in Mishawaka

Myrtles; Step-Fther John and Mother Sarah married in Danville, IL and came to the Mishawka area abt 1910, where John continued his life ambition as a Physician, Sarah worked along beside him as his nurse, they lived 608 East Grove Street in Mishawka, he pratice was located at the south east corner of 3rd and Race Street. John died 01 Dec 1931 and Sarah followed him on 08 Mar 1932, they are both buried at the Fairview Cemetery.

Ralph Kenneth Gill (AKA: Raphel when young and Doc when older) Grew to be quite a man for his day. He was a self made man who learned to do refrigeration, later to own his own buisness known at "Gill's Refrigeration" (started abt. 1931-32) and later entered into the Ice Business. On 29 Jul 1929 he married Mabel Alice Matchette, she was born 28 Nov 1910 in Piercton, Kosciusko Co., IN. The daughter of James Warner Matchett and Georgie Marie Van Wormer. Ralph & Mable had 9 children, 4 sons and 5 daughters of who Betty Jean(#1) died at birth, 17 Jan 1934, buried in Fairview "Baby Section"; Ralph Jr. died on 15 June 2008 and is buried in the Fairview Cemetery and Mary Ellen, died 02 Oct 1992, buried in Chapel Hill. The rest of the children are still living, all but one is still living in St. Joseph County. They are Richard, Betty Jean (#2), Robert, Shirley, Carol, James.

Mabel and Ralph (Doc) lived a prosperous life in Mishawaka. Ralph belonged to the Eagle's Lodge in Mishawka, Indiana, and the Moose Lodge. His business was once located on Monroe Street in South Bend and Mishawka Ave in Mishawaka. and then in his home. Known as Cool Temp and then Gill's Refrigeration.
Sons: Richard, Bob and Ralph worked with there father at times. The daughters and grandchildren later helped with the business, until just before his death when he sold the business to his grandson.

Ralph and George Menzie had a business together during the war (WWII). Ralph made the refrigeration units and Louie Matchett made the wooden boxes at 3030 Mishawaka Ave, Mishawaka. Also Louie Matchett was working with them. (Louie was a Uncle to Mabel)

At one point in time during the early years of their marriage they moved to Plymouth, Marshall Co. but later returned to St. Joseph. Ralph and Mabel had the first Drive In Restraunt in Plymouth, IN on highway 30 east of Plymouth.
Mabel worked for the St. Joe Valley Boat Club Restraunt. Harry Nicodemus owned the St. Joe Valley Boat Club on North Side Blvd. in South Bend, IN, of which Ralph did many repairs to the refrigeration units over the years.
She also worked for Wilson's Shirt Factory on Sample St. in South Bend, IN in 1929.
She worked H. E. Lee Company on Hydraulic Ave. in South Bend, IN.
She also worked for Russell Driver at Driver's Grill on Main Street in Mishawaka
Garrett's White Spot at the corner of Mc Kinley and Liberty Drive in Mishawaka
They owned and operated for several years. The Avenue Restraunt on the corner of Main and Mishawaka Avenue, (later moved across the street next to the First National Bank) in Mishawaka, Indiana. Mabel also in later years worked for the VFW on East Jefferson Blvd. in Mishawaka as a cook.

Mabel died, 28 Oct 1983 and Ralph followed, 31 Oct 1997. They are both buried in the Fairview Cemetery

Ralph, the oldest of the 9 children of Ralph and Mabel succomb from a stroke on Father's Day, June 15, 2008, he left to cherish his memory, his wife Harriet of 59 years and 4 of the 6 children from this marriage. A son and daughter proceeded him, they were Robert Allen, d. 1949 and Deborah Sue who died 1967. The living children are; Sharon, Georgia, Dwayne and David.

Ralph also known as "Arkie" by many friends or Jr by family lived and eventful life, he worked many years for Silvercup Bakery, Studebakers, and retired from Patrick Industries. He and Harriet owned and operated the Avenue Restruant for a time after his parents decided to retire. He later was in business with friend and fellow "CBer's", they call the business "RRR Electronics". Ralph was also active in REACT for several years, held the office of President at one point.

Ralph loved and cherished his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He loved to go hunting, fishing and camping, making wood projects and many other interests. Most of all he loved all of his family and traveled with his daughters doing genealogy. In his later years he and his daughters went to Parke County, Indiana and research some of his family history and met for the first time his Half Uncle and his family. They traveled back several time to meet and enjoy the stories of his Grandfather Deverter and the rest of the family, taking his sons and his sister to meet with this family.

the celebration was held at Nick's Patio (Ironwood Drive, South Bend) where she worked prior and during most of her illness, that caused her death.

Mary was the 6th child born to Ralph and Mabel. She fought a gallent battle with cancer. She was loved by many, including her husband and 2 daughters, and 4 grandchildren.


		Added 12/22/2005