SYRACUSE - Lyle Ellis Gilbert, 83, of North Webster, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend, died Aug. 25, 2009, in Peabody Retirement Community, North Manchester.
He was born July 28, 1926, in Elkhart, to Jacob Ellis and Anna Belle Rawlings Gilbert. In 1948, he married Evelyn Beckman, who preceded him in death. In 1974, he married Carole Parks, who survives.
He served in the U.S. Army Air Force from 1944-46 in the European Theater of Operations with the 8th Air Force. He graduated from Tri State College, Angola, in 1951, and retired from MIC, a division of GM, in 1982. He was a member of North Webster United Methodist Church and the North Webster American Legion Post 253.
Also surviving are two sons, David (and spouse Diana) Gilbert, Munster, and Tom (and spouse Suzanne) Gilbert, Madison, Wis.; six daughters: Susan (and spouse Ron) Hobbs, Canton, Ga.; Carol (and spouse Jeff) MacKinney, Peachtree City, Ga.; Lynda (and spouse Robert) DeField, Marathon, Fla.; Cheryl Killingsworth, Schereville; Debra (and spouse Robert) Divich, Lighthouse Point, Fla.; and Donna (and spouse Robert) Klacik, Highland; 15 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother, Harold Gilbert, and a sister, Helen Arisman.
Services will be at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at North Webster United Methodist Church.
Calling is from 11 a.m. until the time of service Saturday at the church and with military honors by members of North Webster American Legion.
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Memorials to the VA Hospital in Fort Wayne, or the Kosciusko County Animal Shelter.
Condolences may be sent to www.mishlerfuneralhomes.com
