NORTH MANCHESTER – J. Edward Gilbert, 92, of North Manchester, died at 3:05 a.m. March 25, 2012, in Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne.
He was born Dec. 23, 1919, in North Manchester, to Elmer and Ina McFarlan Gilbert. On June 9, 1945, he married Mildred L. Morris, who survives.
He was a vocational agriculture teacher at Northwestern School Corp., Kokomo, for 32 years, retiring in 1978. Following retirement from education he worked at Ortman Well Drilling, Kokomo, for 11 years. He was a member of Manchester Church of the Brethren, North Manchester. He was a conscientious objector in Civilian Public Service during World War II. He graduated from Chester High School, North Manchester, in 1937, attended Manchester College and graduated from Purdue University.
Surviving are three daughters: Janice Gilbert Hurst, McPherson, Kan.; Janean Gilbert, Indianapolis; and Janelle Gilbert Hoffmann, New Haven, Mo.; two sisters, Virginia Balsbaugh, North Manchester, and Josephine (and spouse Orlo) Hibbs, Columbia City; four grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter. He was preceded in death by a daughter, a brother and four sisters.
Services will be at 3 p.m. Friday at Timbercrest Chapel, North Manchester, with Pastor Karen Eberly and Chaplain Steve Crain officiating. Burial will be in Oaklawn Cemetery, North Manchester.
Calling is from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday at Timbercrest Chapel.
McKee Mortuary, North Manchester, is in charge of arrangements. ***** Memorials may be made to On Earth Peace, P.O. Box 188, New Windsor, MD 21776; or Bread for the World, 425 Third St. SW, Suite 1200, Washington, DC 20024
