Donald Gilbert

Donald E. Gilbert, Age 93, Of Oxford, FL, Formerly of Battle Creek, Donald Eugene Gilbert, passed away on September 21, 2017 in Oxford Florida.  He was born on June 15, 1924 to the late Milo and Gertrude Gilbert. He graduated from Battle Creek Central H.S. In 1942. Donald served 3 years in the United States Army during WWII and he then received a degree in Electrical Engineering from Tri-State College, Angola, IN. He worked as an Electrician for Kellogg's for forty years, and was a charter member of Chapel Hill United Methodist Church. He loved spending time with his family and friends. He had great joy being "Gramps", to his nine grandchildren and he loved watching and playing all sports, especially baseball and golf. Donald was preceded in death by his wife Martha (Busefink) Gilbert, his son Milo E. Gilbert in 1995 and his second wife Melba (Reafsnyder) Gilbert in 2016. He is survived by two sons and their wives; Thomas and LuAnn Gilbert and John and Lori Gilbert, three step children Bradley, Tannya and Kimberly, nine grandchildren; Matthew, Patrick, Brian, Marcella, Aaron, Mark, Mindy, Doug, and Kyle, twenty-one great grandchildren, a sister Joyce (Gilbert) Cabaniss and many nieces and nephews. A celebration of Donald's life will be held at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home in Battle Creek, on Friday, September 29th. The family will receive guests from 9:30-10:30 am with a service beginning at 10:30. An internment service will be held immediately following at Floral Lawn Memorial Garden. Memorials may be given to Cornerstone Hospice & Palliative Care Foundation at: 2445 Lane Park Road, Tavares, FL 32778. (www.cornerstonehospice.org). Please indicate The Villages Hospice House. www.henryfuneralhome.org