Finley Eugene Hibbeler

Finley Eugene "Gene" Hibbeler passed away at the age of 79 in Missouri City, Texas on April 23, 2016. He was born on May 18, 1936 to Rosie Oleta McDonald Hibbeler and John Harrison Hibbeler. He was the oldest of three boys and is preceded in death by both his parents and his brother, John Wayne Hibbeler.

Gene is survived by his wife Mary Ann of Missouri City along with his youngest brother Jerry Neal Hibbeler and sister-in-law Shelia Hibbeler of Houston, Texas sister-in-laws Sterlene Shelton and Michelle Grilletta both of Vidor, Texas. He is also survived by his children, Deborah Jean Mouton and son-in-law, Phillip of Devers, Texas; Darla Gail Farmer and son-in-law, Donny of Sugar Land, Texas, and Darren Scott Hibbeler and daughter-in-law, Bernice of Cypress, Texas and Michelle Henderson and Shannon Casto of Thornton, Texas; his seven grandchildren, Keith and Jeannie Mouton, Michael and Kristin Mouton, Stephen and Danielle Mouton, Jason Farmer, Jennifer Farmer-Knowles and Daniel Knowles, Masen Hibbeler, and Logan Hibbeler and seven great grandchildren, Autumn Thrasher, Raygan Mouton, Rylee Mouton, Marley Mouton, Karlee Mouton, Devin Mouton, and Dylan Mouton and by brother, David Middleton, and sister Patricia Ulrich and many nieces, and nephews.

Gene attended Baker High School in Austin and entered basic training for the U.S. Air Force in 1955. Destined to be a career military man and pilot, Gene was partially blinded due to a jet fuel explosion. He was honorably discharged on May 18, 1961; he then started his long-time career with the Port of Houston.

Gene met the mother of his three children, Gail Fitzgerald, during high school at Bushy Park in London, England. They married June 9, 1956 making their home in Austin. In 1966, Gene and family relocated to St. Louis, Missouri as an airplane mechanic with McDonald Douglas. Returning to Houston in 1968, Gene returned to the Port of Houston as Superintendent for a Stevedore company and continued his career with Cooper T. Smith as Operations Manager. Gene, Gail, and Darren relocated to Bullhead City, Arizona in 1987. Retired in 2002, Gene moved to Sugar Land to be near his children.

Gene married Maryann Henderson in January 2011, making their home in Missouri City, Texas.

Viewing will be Monday May 2, 2016, 10:30am in The Marrow Chapel at The Settegast-Kopf Funeral Home of Sugar Creek. A memorial service held at 11:30am in the Chapel with burial at the Houston National Veteran National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr., Houston, 77038 at 2:30pm.

As an expression of sympathy, the family suggests memorial contributions be gifted to Hope For Three, a local nonprofit and autism advocacy group. Donations in honor of Gene Hibbeler may be made on line at: HopeForThree.org, mailed to 11104 W. Airport Blvd., Suite 150, Stafford, TX 77477 or call 281-245-0640.