Published: October 30, 2009 10:22 am      

Chester J. Gibson

May 3, 1934-Oct. 28, 2009

MIDDLEBURY — Chester J. Gibson, 75, died Wednesday at 1:45 a.m. at Elkhart General Hospital after a sudden illness.

He was born May 3, 1934 in Clay County, W.V., to Wence and Nettie (Morris) Gibson.

He married Jeannie Black Jan. 1, 1982, in New Paris.

He is survived by his wife, Jeannie Gibson, Middlebury; his sons, Tony (Carol) Black, Millersburg, and Chester (Vicki) Gibson Jr., Goshen; daughters, Evelyn (Sonny) Rinehart, Middlebury, Linda (Ron) Swinehart, Elkhart, Robin (Brad) Anderson, Monnett, and Stacy (Bill) McKenzie, South Bend; 19 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; four brothers, Carl Gibson, Tucson, Ariz., Emil (Mary) Gibson, Allen, Mich., Bobby Gibson, Clay County, W.V., and Harold (Faye) Gibson, Witcher, W.V.; and four sisters, Sissy Dorsy and Carolyn (Bill) Moore, both of Inverness, Fla., Kathy Stanley, Witcher, W.V., and Phyllis Banks, Hurricane, W.V.

He was preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter, Elizabeth Anne Gibson; four brothers, Leonard, Denzel, Branny and Donald Gibson; and a sister, Juanita Gibson.

Friends may call Friday from 3 to 5 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart. There will be additional calling one hour prior to the 11 a.m. funeral service Saturday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, located at 3415 Pleasant Plain Ave., Elkhart, with his son, Chester Gibson Jr., officiating.

Burial and graveside services will follow at Grace Lawn Cemetery, Middlebury.

He worked as head receiver for Carriage Inc., Middlebury, for 32½ years. He was a member of the Stone Lake Conservation Club and enjoyed collecting and playing guitars, mandolins and banjos. He had a passion for antique cars and trucks. He will be greatly missed by his two dogs, Misty Kay and Riley James.

Memorials may be made to the Elkhart County Humane Society, 54687 C.R. 19, Bristol, IN 46507.

Online condolences may be sent to www.billingsfuneralhome.com.