Historical Timeline

1895
Seven Gilster Brothers & Sisters found the Gilster Milling Company in Steeleville, IL milling the soft wheat flour grown in the region.
Seven Gilster Brothers & Sisters found the Gilster Milling Company in Steeleville, IL milling the soft wheat flour grown in the region.
1900
Gilster Milling Company reaches $1,000,000 in sales selling its Gilster’s Best, Featherlite, and Mother’s Joy brands.
Gilster Milling Company reaches ,000,000 in sales selling its Gilster’s Best, Featherlite, and Mother’s Joy brands.
1957
Don Welge, great nephew of the Gilster Milling founders, joins the company and launches private label cake mixes in the face of a declining market for flour. The company expands its operations to nearby Chester, IL.
Don Welge, great nephew of the Gilster Milling founders, joins the company and launches private label cake mixes in the face of a declining market for flour. The company expands its operations to nearby Chester, IL.
1961
Gilster Milling Company becomes a division of Martha White Foods to support growth and expansion of the business.
Gilster Milling Company becomes a division of Martha White Foods to support growth and expansion of the business.
1962
Gilster Milling grows through the acquisition of Trenton Milling (1962), Duff Mixes (1965), and Kitchen Art Foods (1968). Mike Welge, another great nephew of the Gilster’s, joins his brother in the business in 1962. Pictured below are Mike, Don, and their father, William H. “Bill” Welge
Gilster Milling grows through the acquisition of Trenton Milling (1962), Duff Mixes (1965), and Kitchen Art Foods (1968). Mike Welge, another great nephew of the Gilster’s, joins his brother in the business in 1962. Pictured below are Mike, Don, and their father, William H. “Bill” Welge
1969
Gilster Management splits from Gilster Milling to form “Mary Lee Packaging” in Perryville, MO.
Gilster Management splits from Gilster Milling to form “Mary Lee Packaging” in Perryville, MO.
1971
After 2 years of fierce competition, the two companies are merged back together forming “Gilster-Mary Lee Corp”.
After 2 years of fierce competition, the two companies are merged back together forming “Gilster-Mary Lee Corp”.
1975
Production of the first private label Mac & Cheese Dinner Mixes begins.
Production of the first private label Mac & Cheese Dinner Mixes begins.
1983
Gilster-Mary Lee starts production of private label breakfast cereal.
Gilster-Mary Lee starts production of private label breakfast cereal.

Photo credit: David Bohrer / National Assoc. of Manufacturers

1985
Gilster-Mary Lee is the first producer of private label microwave popcorn.
Gilster-Mary Lee is the first producer of private label microwave popcorn.
1989
Gilster-Mary Lee expands its macaroni and pasta production. That year it also purchases the Kopak company, a producer of cocoa products and syrups.
Gilster-Mary Lee expands its macaroni and pasta production. That year it also purchases the Kopak company, a producer of cocoa products and syrups.
1993
Historic flooding of the Mississippi River causes the levee protecting the company’s facilities in McBride, MO to fail, flooding the company’s cereal plant, box making facility, and distribution center and cutting its Illinois and Missouri operations in half.
Historic flooding of the Mississippi River causes the levee protecting the company’s facilities in McBride, MO to fail, flooding the company’s cereal plant, box making facility, and distribution center and cutting its Illinois and Missouri operations in half.
1999
Gilster-Mary Lee purchases Jasper Foods in Jasper and Joplin, MO, expanding its microwave popcorn and cereal capacity.
Gilster-Mary Lee purchases Jasper Foods in Jasper and Joplin, MO, expanding its microwave popcorn and cereal capacity.
2004
Gilster-Mary Lee begins production of its own corrugated cardboard in Centralia, IL.
Gilster-Mary Lee begins production of its own corrugated cardboard in Centralia, IL.
2012
The company purchases the branded and private label business of Little Crow Foods in Warsaw, IN.
The company purchases the branded and private label business of Little Crow Foods in Warsaw, IN.
2020
Don Welge, President and CEO of Gilster-Mary Lee becomes one of the first victims of the Covid-19 virus in southern IL. Under difficult conditions, the company and its employees meet the challenge of providing much needed food products to the nation and the world.
Don Welge, President and CEO of Gilster-Mary Lee becomes one of the first victims of the Covid-19 virus in southern IL. Under difficult conditions, the company and its employees meet the challenge of providing much needed food products to the nation and the world.

Photo credit: David Bohrer / National Assoc. of Manufacturers

2025
Consumers now not only trust, but seek out private brands in the stores they shop in person and the purchasing they do online. With its continued focus on quality, service, and value, Gilster-Mary Lee is well positioned to serve the customer of today and tomorrow.
Consumers now not only trust, but seek out private brands in the stores they shop in person and the purchasing they do online. With its continued focus on quality, service, and value, Gilster-Mary Lee is well positioned to serve the customer of today and tomorrow.