Merle “Skip” D. Gibbs, 91, passed away at 7:25 am on Wednesday, July 31, 2013 at Eunice Smith Home in Alton.

 

He was born on March 15, 1922 in Caseyville, IL, the son of Henry and Irene (Held) Gibbs. 

He married Lorraine “Corky” Webb and later married Harriett Marie Bowman.  They both preceded him in death.

Skip served his country in the U.S. Army, serving in the 18^th Armored Infantry Battalion during WW II serving under General Patton.  He was a conductor for the New York City Railroad/Conrail.  Then he was a deputy sheriff with the Kimberling City Police Department from 1979 to 1993.  He also had been in the Bethalto Auxiliary Police Department and was a Lieutenant with the Madison County Police Department.  He was a member of the Bible Baptist Church in Cottage Hills, the Bethalto Masonic Temple #406, the Alton VFW Post 1308 and the Caseyville VFW.

He is survived by two daughters and two sons-in-law, Georgene and Terry Myers of Worden and Marilee and Danny Tuck of Flowery Branch, GA; a son and a daughter-in-law, Kenneth and Patti Gibbs of Dow; many grandchildren, great grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his two wives, two sons, Gary Gibbs and Merle Gibbs Jr., a grandson, Scott Gibbs and two sisters, Iva Rogers and Naomi Gower. 

Visitation will be 4 to 8 pm on Friday, August 2, 2013 at Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home in Bethalto.

Funeral services will be 10:00 am on Saturday, August 3, 2013 at the funeral home with Pastor Steve Bush officiating.

Burial will be at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto with military rites by the Alton VFW Post 1308. 

Memorials may be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Bible Baptist Church in Cottage Hills.

Online condolences and guestbook may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com

Obit Provided By:
Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home