Renate Fackovec Gillen

On February 21st, 2025 Renate Fackovec Gillen passed away peacefully at Flower Promedica Hospital with family by her side.

Renate was born in Esslingen, Germany on October 19th,1947 to Anna Fackovec. She never knew her biological father as they were separated shortly after the war. Renate taught herself to read and write English by watching TV commercials. She attended Lordes College for Medical Assistant and then became an STNA. She retired from Swanton Health Care – currently Embassy of Swanton. She always enjoyed taking care

 of people, even up to the end. She was a very private person, never wanting anyone to make a “fuss” over her. She enjoyed reading, listening to music, taking care of others, and most of all spending time with her family, especially her grandkids, and will be dearly missed.

She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Donald Gillen of Delta; her sister Ingrid Schuster; her two nieces; Nicole Sinesi and Sina Schuster of Germany; her three daughters and three son-in-laws; Shelly and Alan Tate of Bryan, OH, Dawn and Josh Ruffer of Delta, OH, Jennifer and Fred Shank of Delta, OH. Renate was blessed with seven grandchildren, Brittany, Jeffrey, Nicolas, Matthew, Derek, Skyler, and Bradyn. She also had three great grand children Roman, Rozlynn, and Remington.

Preceded in death by her mother Anna Schuster and step father George Schuster; brothers Wolfgang Schuster and Reindhard Schuster and nephew Oliver Swen Schuster of Germany.

A private Celebraition of Life Ceremony will be held at her home Saturday, March 1st to respect her wishes. Flower arrangements and any donations can be sent to 4926 Co Rd M Delta, OH, in care of her daughter Dawn Ruffer.