Joe Gilbert

GILBERT, Joseph Ezra, age 98 of Eaton, OH.,  formerly of West Alexandria, passed away December 24, 2015 in Eaton, OH.  He was born in Preble County on August 18, 1917, the son of George and Alma (Guntle) Gilbert.  He was a 1936 graduate of West Alexandria High School, West Alexandria volunteer fireman for forty years, retiring as Captain.  He was one of the men who worked long and hard on the restoration of the Roberts Covered Bridge, member of the Preble County Historical society, and Friends of the West Alexandria Library.  He volunteered at the Brethren Heritage Center.  He was preceded in death by his first wife, Eunice Snodgrass Gilbert, sisters, Martha Gilbert Miller and Mary Gilbert Stevens, brothers, Sherman Gilbert and Daniel Gilbert, step-son, Forrest “Skip” Reeves.  He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Audrey; children, Alma Kemper, Englewood, OH., John Gilbert, Greenville, SC, step-daughter, Laura Reeves, Holbrook, MA, grandchildren, Joe (Missy) Kemper, Englewood, OH., John (Deena) Kemper, Dayton, OH., Kevin (Brianna) Kemper, Pickerington, OH., Sarah (Douglas) Murray, Atlanta, GA., Drew Gilbert, Columbia, SC., step-granddaughter, B. Kathleen (Michael) Mukavetz, Westerville, OH., great-grandchildren, Mary and Lily Kemper, Englewood, OH., Dylan and Alec Kemper, Tipp City, OH., Taylor and Olivia Sirch, Dayton, OH., Aidan and Zoe Kemper, Pickerington, OH., Thomas, Julie and Elizabeth Murray of Atlanta, GA., step-great grandchildren, Aidan and Karina Mukavetz, Westerville, OH., great-great granddaughter, Skyler Rose Kemper, Troy, OH., sister, Elizabeth Gilbert Bowser, West Alexandria, OH, OH. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Tues. Dec. 29, 2015 at Gratis First Brethren Church with Rev. Robert Shannon officiating.  Friends may call at the Lindloff-Zimmerman Funeral Home in West Alexandria, OH. on Monday, Dec. 28, 2015 from 5-8pm. and one hour prior to the funeral at the church on Tues.  Burial will be in Sugar Grove Cemetery, West Alexandria, OH.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gratis First Brethren Church.  For condolences: www.lindloffzimmerman.com