Colleen J Gibson

Colleen was born in Nampa, Idaho on April 7, 1933 to Harry and Vera Mills. She graduated from Nampa High School in 1951 and Muskingum University in New Concord, OH in 1955. While performing her student teaching requirements in a Cambridge, OH elementary school she chaperoned a school dance with a dashing uncle of one of her students. That blind date led to more than a half century of love and family. Colleen married George Thomas Gibson in Nampa on August 20, 1955 and he survives. They started their lives and family in Columbus, OH, moving to Cincinnati, OH and finally settling in Pekin in 1968. Coke and Tom celebrated 57 anniversaries together.

She is also survived by her children, Christine (Steve) Lutke of Palm Springs, CA, Anne Gibson of Brea, CA, Lisa Gibson of Lowell, IN, Craig (Silvia) Gibson of Indianapolis, IN, Tom Gibson of Quincy, FL, Brian (Sarah) Gibson of Lowell, IN; grandchildren, Leslie, Michael, Todd (Kristy), Alex, Natalie, Courtney, Ryan, Malia, Kai, Hannah, and Drew; great-grandchildren, Lily Colleen, Olivia Joy, Scarlett Rose; sisters, Emily (Jack) Nelson and Dawn (Edd) Doorn; and many other family and friends across America.

Colleen was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Kenneth Mills; and her step-mother, Winifred Mills.

Colleen enjoyed working as a 4th Grade teacher for Pekin Public Schools District #108 for over 30 years. She had taught at L.E. Starke Primary and Washington Intermediate schools. She also enjoyed gardening, reading, singing and music.

She was actively involved in her church, First United Presbyterian Church in Pekin as an Elder, Deacon, and was a longtime member of the choir and Sunday school teacher. She was also a member of Altrusa, Pekin Hospital League, moderator for Grandparents Support Group at Miller Center, Church Women United, Retired Teachers Association and YWCA Board & Reserve where she was recognized in the Profession category for Outstanding Achievement in 1997. Coke loved volunteering and sharing all her gifts with her family and friends and the town of Pekin.

Her funeral will be at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, March 16, 2013 at First United Presbyterian Church in Pekin. The Rev. Kristie Peterson will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First United Presbyterian Church, 1717 Highwood Avenue, Pekin, IL 61554.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com