In Loving Memory of Cleo Edward Gillit Sr.
March 16, 1934 – May 24, 2025
Cleo Edward Gillit Sr., 91, passed away peacefully on May 24, 2025. Cleo was a genuine and loving man who had a heart big enough for everyone he came in contact with. He was the type of person who would give you the shirt off of his back and love you like family from the moment you met.
He is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 48 years, Cazilia B. Gillit, with whom he shared a heart full of memories, love, and companionship.
Cleo was a devoted man to his children/ step children/ grandchildren/greats and great-greats. He is survived by his children: Cleo Gillit Jr. (Sherry), Brian Gillit, and Sandra Apuan, his step children: Elfride Mullin (Jim) and Romana Shelton (Tim), his grandchildren: Aimee Mohrhauser (Mitchell), Rev. Ashley Maldonado (Andrew), Mark Gillit Jr., Jason Swafford, and Adam Swafford, as well as his many great and great-great grandchildren.
He is also survived by his siblings: Elsie Medeiros, Frances Henson, Linda Andujo, Lenord Lile, Walter Lile, Carolyn Gillit, and Charlie Gillit.
Cleo was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Gillit and Verna Ellison, his twin brother Clifford Gillit, his son Mark Gillit Sr., his grandson Sgt. Matthew Apuan, and his younger brother Calvin Gillit.
Cleo spent his early years farming at the family farm in Manteca, Ca. and driving truck for Pacific Growers and Nulaid Foods Inc. in Ripon, Ca.; he was always taking immense pride in a job well done as well as raising his 4 children- his pride and joy: Sandy, Cleo Jr., Mark, and Brian. In retirement, he found love in the simple things, buying his first home with his soulmate, Cazilia, raising his granddaughter Ashley- the light of his life, fixing anything he could get his hands on, even if it was not broken, and filling his family’s lives with laughter, stories, and a deep love for country music. He had a way of making people laugh and a rare gift of making everyone feel important as well as loved. Cleo’s faith in Christ was the cornerstone of his life as he got older. His love for the Lord and for his family never went unnoticed. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered by those fortunate enough to have known him.
A celebration of life will be held on August 27, 2025 at 5:30 pm at Community Praise Tabernacle, 3208 Stanislaus St. Riverbank, Ca. 95367.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to one of the scholarships set up in Cleo’s name or to his local church.
Checks can be made payable to either:
• Manteca Unified School District or Riverbank High School, with the memo “Cleo’s Gift Legacy Scholarship”, and dropped off at:
o Manteca Unified School District, 2271 W. Louise Ave., Manteca, CA 95337
o Riverbank High School, 6200 Claus Rd., Riverbank, CA 95367
• Or to Community Praise Tabernacle, with the memo “Cleo Gillit”, and mailed to:
PO Box 856, Riverbank, CA 95367