Annette Joan Gilbert

Annette J. (Ann) Gilbert, 76, died at Hospice of Dayton, Dayton Ohio, on January 18, 2017 after an 11 month battle with kidney cancer. Ann was born in Bevent, Wisconsin, on 17 September 1940, the daughter of the late Joseph and Martha (Gabor) Laska. She attended area schools, Rosholt (Wisconsin) High School and graduated from Maria High School, Stevens Point, Wisconsin. After graduation, she clerked at Whitney’s Candy Shop in Stevens Point. Ann married 2Lt Charles F. (Chuck) Gilbert at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Stevens Point in July 1960 and they celebrated their 56th anniversary in 2016. For 21 years, she made a home for her family in Massachusetts, Wisconsin, California, Hawaii, Germany, Nevada, Kansas and Ohio as Chuck served at ten Air Force bases. She volunteered at Family Services Centers at Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts; Vandenberg Air Force Base, California; Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii; and Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. At Wright-Patterson AFB, Ann was the treasurer for the Officer Wives Club’s two gourmet groups from 1978 through 1991, and volunteered at the W-P Pharmacy for several years. Surviving are her husband, Charles F. (Chuck) Gilbert (originally of Rosholt, Wisconsin) and three daughters and two sons-in-law: Margaret E. Hastings, Indiana; Elizabeth M. and Brian Kohler, Texas; and Joanne M. and David Moore, Ohio; and a granddaughter, Samantha M. Tilmans, Indiana. Also surviving are one brother Richard (Lillian) and four sisters: Lucy Kleman; Agnes Czudec; Cecilia Gorski and Marian (Phillip) Cherek , all of Wisconsin. A brother- and sister-in-law, Ralph and Carol Gilbert, Colorado, and their families also survive. Ann is further survived by more than 50 nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and an infant son, Charles J., in 1975. Seven brothers (Stanley (Helen), Roman, Anton, Chester and Ervin and infants Joseph and Hubert) and one sister (Esther Kolpack) also preceded her in death. In 1971, Ann and Chuck started Volkswalking in Germany and continued it when it came to the Dayton area in 1978. She has walked more than 2,500 kilometers (1,600 miles). In 1994, Ann returned to the work force as a Hallmark Cards Retail Merchandiser serving various chain stores in the Greater Dayton area for 17 years before retiring in 2011. For nearly 40 years, Ann served on the Finance Committee for the Mary, Help of Christians, annual Parish Festival. Ann was also a Lay Reader at Mary, Help of Christians, Church for more than 30 years. She has also helped with the US Air Force Marathon Expo and volunteered with the Victoria Theatre Association as an usher for ten years. In her forties, she learned to play tennis and spent many happy days playing with friends. The family expresses its heartfelt thanks to the staffs at Wright-Patterson AFB Hospital and its Cancer Care Center, Miami Valley DaySpring Transitional Care Center, PhysioTherapy Associates and Hospice of Dayton for their outstanding care throughout her illness. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a local Food Pantry of your choice, Heifer International or Hospice of Dayton. Friends may call on Monday, January 23, 2017 9AM -10AM at Mary, Help of Christians Catholic Church 954 N. Maple Ave. Fairborn, Ohio 45324. A mass of Christian burial will follow at 10AM with Rev. Thomas Nevels , Celebrant. Interment will follow at Dayton National Cemetery at 2:30PM. Online condolences may be left at www.BurchamJennings.com.