Wilfred Leroy Gibson, age 98, of Lawrenceville, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 05, 2021 in Vincennes, Indiana at Bridgepointe Health Campus. He was born on December 25, 1922 in Perry County, Indiana to Justus and Ruby (Jenkins) Gibson. He married Beverly (Priest) Dycus on May 01, 1968, and she preceded him in death on February 11, 2008.
He graduated from Mt. Carmel, Illinois High School in 1940. He served during World War II in the United States Marines, as part of the 5th Division Amphibious Corps. During this time, he took part in the Battle of Iwo Jima and Battle of Saipan. From 1955 until 1981, he was a highway patrolman for the Illinois State Police, based in District 12 out of Effingham. He served as the Lawrence County Clerk from 1986 until 1994. He was also a real estate agent for Doc Mayfield Realty and Dave Craske Realty for several years. He was a member of the Lawrenceville First United Methodist Church and Lawrence County Country Club. He had a broad range of interests, but most notably he enjoyed playing golf, making music with his trumpet, and telling stories in the presence of family and friends. He was also known to look forward to Sunday dinners after church.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; three brothers, Freal Gibson, Paul Gibson, and Ralph D. Gibson; one sister, Norma Jean Grossoehme; and one son, David Gibson.
He is survived by his sons: Stephen M. (wife, Patricia) of Fernandina Beach, Florida, James W. (wife, Mindy) of Cape Coral, Florida, John P. of Burbank, California, Bradley K. (wife, Shari) of Scottsdale, Arizona, Philip A. (wife, Pamela) of Phoenix, Arizona, Greg P. (wife, Cheryl) of Fishers, Indiana, Will C. (fiancé, Dedra) of Lawrenceville, Illinois; daughters: Cynthia (husband, David) Thacker of Vincennes, Indiana and Diana (husband, Eric) Schnuck of Lawrenceville, Illinois; one daughter-in-law, Karen Gibson of Springfield, Illinois; and one sister: Opal Hamm of Dunedin, Florida; as well as 17 grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted on Thursday, December 09, 2021 at 2:00 PM CST at the First United Methodist Church in Lawrenceville, with burial to follow in the Lawrenceville City Cemetery. Visitation will be on Thursday from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM CST at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church in Lawrenceville. Emmons-Macey & Steffey Funeral Home in Lawrenceville, Illinois is in charge of the arrangements.
The Gibson family wishes to thank Dr. Steven Ramsaran, Dr. Larry Herron, and all of the staff and caregivers at Bridgepointe Health Campus for their diligence and assistance over the last several months.
Please visit www.emmonsmaceysteffey.com to view the tribute and to send condolences.