He was a member of First Congregational Christian Church where he served as a deacon; Greenville Masonic Lodge # 143; Scottish Rite Valley of Dayton; Antioch Shrine; Darke County Shrine Club; he volunteered at the Darke County Parks and the Garst Museum; He was a 1966 Graduate of Greenville High School; and a 1971 Graduate of Defiance College.
He is preceded in death by his parents; and his in laws: Chester & Violet Cochran.
He is survived by the love of his life Ginger (Cochran) Gilbert of Greenville whom he was married to for 43 years and married May 4, 1974; his son: Chris Gilbert of Van Wert; daughter: Amber (Gilbert) Swaney and husband David of Dayton; Grandchildren who called him PAPARON: McKenna & Elizabeth Gilbert, Evan “Little Buddy” Swaney, & step grandchild: Molly Hardin; brother in law: Phil Mong; sister in law: Sharon Condy; aunts: Helen Coppess of Ansonia, Donna & Bob Warner of Tipp City; special friends: Duane & Becky Miller & Ellen Swaney; loving dogs: Lily & Wicket; numerous nieces, nephews & cousins.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday September 6, 2017 at 5:00 PM at Zechar Bailey Funeral Home, Greenville, Ohio. Family will receive friends from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Wednesday at the funeral home. A Masonic memorial service with Scottish Rite Ring ceremony will be conducted at 4:45 PM on Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Association or the American Heart Association.
Condolences for the family may be expressed through www.zecharbailey.com
