Charlene Dee Gillis, 72, of Cedar Rapids, died Sunday, May 5, 2019 at Evergreen II.  A Celebration of Life gathering will be 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 9, 2019, at Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling Street SW.  Private family inurnment will be at a later date.

Charlene was born March 7, 1947 in Cedar Rapids, the daughter of Charles and Francis (Fliehler) Volak.  She graduated from Cedar Rapids Washington High School, and later graduated from Paris Academy of Beauty.  Charlene was united in marriage to James Gillis in May of 1969.  She worked as a beautician - cosmetologist for many years at Fashion Flair Beauty Salon, and later retired from Lane Bryant.  She enjoyed arts and crafts, playing cards,

and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and grandfurbabies.

Charlene is survived by her sons, Eric Gillis of Modesto, California and Scott (Angie) Gillis of Cedar Rapids; two grandchildren Nicole and Zac Gillis.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and her brother Ron (Helen) Volak.

Memorials may be directed to the family.