Wilford (Bill) Gilbert

FuneralSaturday February 25, 201210:00 amMudd-Veach Funeral Home (Bowling Green)VisitationFriday February 24, 20124:00 pm to 7:00 pmMudd-Veach Funeral Home (Bowling Green)Video Tribute Wilford L. (Bill) Gilbert, 89, of Vandalia formerly of Curryville, passed away Thursday February 23, 2012 at Tri County Care Center in Vandalia. Funeral services will be held Saturday February 25, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at the Mudd-Veach Funeral Home with Rev. Mike Lewton officiating. Burial will be in the Fairview Cemetery in Frankford. Visitation will be Friday, February 24th from 4:00-7:00 pm at the funeral home. Bill was born May 25, 1922 in Oakwood, MO, the son of John H. Gilbert and Jesse McCleod Gilbert. He was raised from 16 months of age by his father and stepmother, Lela Mae Coleman Gilbert. On March 10, 1947 he married Mary Sue Bent. She preceded him in death on March 16, 1987. He later married Florence Pollard Yaeger on Nov 17, 1990. She preceded him in death January 14, 2010. He grew up in Oakwood until the age of 13 where he attended Washington School until the eighth grade. He then moved with his parents to a farm in Frankford on May 6, 1936. In December of 1942 he entered the Army and spent three years in the Solomon Islands and Philippine Islands, returning home in December 1945. His family moved to a farm south of Curryville where he farmed for 17 years. In Jan 1962 he went to work for the United States Postal Service where he was a rural carrier at Curryville, Frankford and Bowling Green, retiring on August 3, 1989. Bill enjoyed gardening and being with his grandchildren. Survivors include his sons Dennis Gilbert and wife Patti of Frankford, Robert Gilbert and wife Kathy of Wellsville; one daughter Fay Miller and husband Jeff of Curryville; two step sons Drake Yaeger and wife Sally of Warsaw, Drew Yaeger and wife Judi of Chicago, IL ; Grandchildren Jeremy Gilbert, Adam Gilbert, Mark Gilbert, Pamela Golian, Susanne Gloe, Loran Miller, Brandon Miller, Austin Miller and Ethan Miller; Step-Grandchildren Dallas Yaeger, Sara and Becca Yaeger and 16 great Grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, one Granddaughter Makenzi Jo and brother Melvin Gilbert . Serving as pallbearers will be Jeremy Gilbert, Adam Gilbert, Mark Gilbert, Pam Golian, Susanne Gloe, Loran Miller, Brandon Miller. Honorary Pallbearers will be Austin Miller and Ethan Miller. Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Association or the Pike County Hospice.