"I am so sorry for your loss. Sending prayers of peace to you all. Rita Angelo"
In loving memory of
Galen E. Gilbert
July 7, 1933 - August 18, 2019
Galen Eugene "Gib" Gilbert, 86, of Columbia City passed away quietly at his home at 10:20am Sunday, August 18, 2019. He was born on July 7, 1933 in South Whitley, the son of William Lester and Hulleta M. (Kistler) Gilbert.
Galen graduated from South Whitley High School with the Class of 1952. He went on to serve his country during the Korean War from 1953-1955 with the United States Army. He married Julia A. (Egolf) on July 5, 1958 in Sidney. Gib started work at American Tractor and J.I. Case Company until they moved thier plant to Iowa and then worked for Bechtold Excavating, Kay Davis before working for Dana Corporation, Fort Wayne for 30 ½ years, retiring in 1992. After retiring he worked for Whitley County Door & Exterior for 11 years and lastly for Bart's Car Dealership. Galen was a member of the Blue River Community Church, where he was a former Deacon and current Elder. He was a volunteer fireman for 42 ½ years with Thorncreek Fire Department, where he served as Captain, Assistant Fire Chief, Treasurer, Fire Chief, Arson Investigator, Master Fire Fighter and First Responder. He also was Fire Fighter of the Year in 1985 and 1986, presented by the American Legion. His memberships also included Tri-Lakes Overlander's Camping Club, American Legion Post #98 and Eagles Lodge #1906.
Survivors including his loving wife of 61 years Julia A. Gilbert, Columbia City; 4 sons, David E. (Sally) Gilbert, Columbia City, Larry D. (Sharon) Gilbert, Columbia City, Michael W. (Elizabeth) Gilbert, Plainfield and James L. (Shannon) Gilbert, Auburn; 9 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild on the way; 10 siblings including, Ada Rumsey, Churubusco, Eloise Bolinger, South Whitley, Frances Cottrell, North Manchester, Doris Krider, Kimmel, Helen Bowman, Wabash, Wanda Stover, Kokomo, Norma Jean Hogan, Kokomo, Donald (Molly) Gilbert, North Manchester, Gyneth Kethcart, Old Town, FL and Patricia (Hank) Foy, South Whitley. He is preceded in death by his parents and 2 sisters, Mildred Burnett and Phyllis Baker.
Visitation will be held from 2-4 and 6-8 Thursday, August 22, 2019 at DeMoney-Grimes, A Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 23, 2019 at 11:00 am at the funeral home with Pastor Chad Shively and Pastor Elizabeth Gilbert officiating. Burial will follow at South Whitley Cemetery with graveside military rites provided by the Whitley County Korean War Honor Guard. Memorial gifts may be given in Mr. Gilbert's memory to Heartland Hospice. To send family condolences please log onto www.demoneygrimes.com
Tributes
"To the entire Gilbert family, So sorry to hear of the passing of Gib. My deepest sympathy and prayers to all of you. Dee Fox"
"It was always a pleasure to see him at the Fall Harvest at Blue River Church. He made you feel welcomed. He always had an ornery grin on his face like he had something planned up his sleeve. One always wanted to be the last one to win at Bingo because you knew that you would get a hand crafted item by Galen. He will be missed. "
"Dear Gilbert Family,
I was sorry to have heard of Gib's passing...remembering him well as a volunteer fireman..showing us how to park our cars "just so" at all the events at Thorncreek school. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you for your loss."
"my sympathy to the family"
"Larry&Sharon, thinking of you during this hard time. Sending many prayers. Bruce & Annette "
"If we were to judge a man based on his commitment to his family, his strength in his beliefs, the joy he brought to others or what he taught us all then Gib was a 14 on a scale of 1-10. God bless you Galen. You will forever be in our hearts and missed every minute of every day."
"So sorry for your loss. Hugs and Prayers to you all. God Bless ????"
"My sincerest condolences on the passing of your father Mike. It certainly sounder like he led a Christ filled life of service that his family should feel great about. God be with you and Elizabeth, and also his entire family during this time of grief and mourning. Dennis Darrow"
"We were blessed to meet Galen at Blue River Community Church. We will always be appreciative of how he and Julia poured into the lives our daughter and son-in-law during Cameron's time serving there. A wonderful man who served his Lord, his family and all those around him his entire life. Our hearts are heavy but we look forward to the day we rejoice together in heaven."
"I have fought when others feared to serve. I have gone where others failed to go. I've lost friends in war and strife, Who valued Duty more than love of life. I have shared the comradeship of pain. I have searched the lands for men that we have lost. I have sons who served this land of liberty, Who would fight to see that other stricken lands are free. I have seen the weak forsake humanity. I have heard the traitors praise our enemy. I've seen challenged men become even bolder, I've seen the Duty, Honor, Sacrifice of the Soldier. Now I understand the meaning of our lives, The loss of comrades not so very long ago. So to you who have answered duties siren call, May God bless you my son, may God bless you all. Lewis Millett Salute RIP SGT Dennen U.S.ARMY"
"Peace Be With You The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deuteronomy 33:27. God's sheltering arms will always be there for you, offering the comfort of His gentle love and the refuge of His tender care. With sympathy and a heartfelt prayer that God's loving presence will bring you comfort. Dave and Marcia Hovenden "
"I am so sorry for your loss. Sending you love and prayers in this difficult time."
"Our hearts break as we prepare to say goodbye to the best neighbor anyone could ever have. He was always willing to help with anything we needed. We will always cherish his jokes, playing cards and helping hand and that ornery smile. Rest In Peace Gibby. Forever in our hearts"
"We love you all so much and you are in our thoughts and prayers. Mario and Liz Young"
"May each of you find courage to face tomorrow as you rest in the knowledge that we truly care about each of your needs and that we will walk beside you in your journey of grief. Randy Grimes, Brett Gerber and the Staff of DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home "