John Headley Gilbert, 85, of Paris, passed away at 8:53 a.m. EDT Thursday, May 4, 2017, at Union Hospital, Terre Haute, Ind. He was retired after a life-long farming career.
A service celebrating his life is 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 9, at Templeton Funeral Home. Military rites by American Legion Post #211 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3601 accompany burial in Edgar Cemetery. Visitation is from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, May 8, at the funeral home.
Mr. Gilbert was born Dec. 8, 1931, at Paris, the son of the late Henry N. and Esther Headley Gilbert. He married Mary Jo Wittick April 3, 1955, at Paris, and she preceded him in death Sept. 7, 2012.
Survivors include two children, John Mark (Jo Ellen) Gilbert and Elizabeth Ann (Mike) Maggert, both of Paris; five grandchildren, Ryan (Kelsey) Gilbert of Paris, Stephen Gilbert of Champaign, Katy (Drew) Keenan of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Emily (Jesse) Fennell of Noblesville, Ind., and Sarah Maggert of Paris; five great-grandchildren, Hudson and Henry Gilbert, Molly and Nolan Keenan and Morgan Fennell; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by two sisters, Geraldine Lacy and Kathryn Wright; and three infant siblings.
Mr. Gilbert served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Paris where he had served as a trustee and usher. He was also a member of American Legion Post #211. He was a former member and past president of the Farm Credit Board of Directors for many years and also served as a drainage district commissioner. He loved his family, cherished his farm and was a proud veteran.
Memorial donations may be made to First United Methodist Church of Paris or American Legion Post #211.
Online condolences may be left at www.TempletonFuneralHome.com.