Norman "Red" Gilbert's Obituary
Norman Ronald "Red" Gilbert, age 84 of Westfield, passed away on Sunday, January 29, 2006 at his home. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 1, 2006 at the Westfield United Methodist Church with Pastor Cathy Minor officiating. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 at the church with a Masonic Service to be held at 7:45 p.m. by the Westfield Masonic Lodge #1046. Burial will be in the Maple Hill Cemetery. Markwell & Son Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements. He was an Industrial Journeyman Millright and a Building Service Worker for Eastern Illinois University for 24 years. He worked with the CCC in the 1930's and he helped establish Fox Ridge State Park. He was born November 7, 1921 in Westfield, the son of John Harve and Rosa Nell Ledbetter Gilbert. He married Wanda Mae Robinson on July 31, 1948 in Georgetown, IL; she survives. He was a graduate of Westfield High School and attended Purdue University while living in Layfayette, IN. He was a former mayor of Westfield, chairman of the Westfield Homecoming Committee for 12 years, but was best known as the "Cotton Candy Man" of Westfield during Halloween. He was a member of the Westfield United Methodist Church, Westfield Masonic Lodge #1046 and the Areta Chapter 79 Order of the Eastern Star in Casey. He was also an Honorary Shriner in Clark County. Surviving are his wife, Wanda Gilbert, sons Ronald Gilbert and wife Marsha and Steven Gilbert and wife Vickie, daughter Susan Sanders and husband Wally, all of Westfield, brother Jack Gilbert and wife Jewell of Mattoon, seven grandchildren, James Gilbert and wife Trisha, Lisa Blake, Jason Gilbert and wife Tara, Nate Gilbert and fiance' LeeAnn Butcher, Nick Gilbert, Heidi Sanders and Allyson Sanders and eight great-grandchildren, JT and Elizabeth Blake, Hannah, Noah, Ethan and Cole Gilbert and Drew and Trey Gilbert. He was preceded in death by his parents and five brothers, Reuben, Ralph, John William, Maynard and Marvin Gilbert. Memorials may be made the Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2001 S. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63131-3597. SERVICES Visitation Tuesday, January 31, 2006 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM Westfield United Methodist Church , Service Wednesday, February 01, 2006 10:30 AM Westfield United Methodist Church ,
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