Frank Gibbs, Sr.

Born March 4, 1924 in Gordonsville, Tennessee to Herman and Ruth (McKinney) Gibbs, he married Jewell Sherman on April 22, 1949 in Peoria.  She died April 19, 2005 in Peoria.  He was also preceded in death by his parents, one daughter (Dolly), six brothers, and two sisters.

Surviving are four daughters, Dora (James) Morris of Creve Coeur, Barbara (Donald) Jordan of Pekin, Betty Dillard and Debby LaFever, both of Gordonsville, Tennessee; one son, Frank (Penny) Gibbs of East Peoria; fourteen grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Margaret Davis of Nashville, Tennessee, Jean Petty of Brush Creek, Tennessee, and Betty Mason of Gordonsville, Tennessee.

He was an United States Navy veteran of World War II.

Frank worked for Caterpillar, Inc., retiring in June 1979 after 30 years of service, as a line inspector in East Peoria.

He was a member of First Baptist Church in Creve Coeur.  He was a dedicated member of the United Auto Workers Local #974 in East Peoria, where he served as union steward, chief steward, and chairman of the bargaining committee for many years.

Frank enjoyed fishing and hunting.  He was a Salvation Army volunteer and served as an election judge in Tazewell County.

Local visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, January 23, 2009 at the Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Creve Coeur Chapel.

Additional visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, January 24, 2009 at the Bass Funeral Home in Gordonsville, Tennessee.  Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Gordonsville Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church, 425 Rusche Avenue, Creve Coeur, IL 61610.