Dr. Gilbert Dean Davis

Dr. Gilbert Dean Davis, 97, of Springfield, passed away of natural causes on Thursday, June 17, 2010, at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield. Gilbert was born June 13, 1913 in Webster County, IA, the son of Merle Raymond and Lulu Elizabeth Collins Davis. He married Bonnie B. Brooks on August 19, 1938 in Keokuk, IA. She preceded him in death in April 2009. He was also preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Glenn Elmore Davis, his son, Stephen Glenn and grandson, Troy. He is survived by his daughter, (Carma) Lynn Robbins of Springfield; nine grandchildren; twenty three great grandchildren and many loving, extended family members. After graduating from high school, Gilbert earned his degrees at Eastern University in Charleston, IL and University of Chicago. During his time at Eastern, he met his future wife, Bonnie Beryl Brooks. After their marriage, he went on ahead to Chicago to finish his Chiropractic medical school degree and began teaching and serving as the Editor of the University of Chicago’s Chiropractic periodic publication. Gilbert then opened his own podiatry practice. They moved to and lived in Belvidere, IL making many wonderful life-long friendships through the years. In 1964, the couple moved to Aurora, IL where he began teaching junior high in Aurora. He used to brag to his students that his lifespan went from horse & buggy to space shuttles. When he retired, Bonnie and Gilbert moved to southeastern Florida for fifteen years where he again taught Junior High School for a few years. They were devoted members of the Beacon Baptist Church in Jupiter, FL. They moved back to Springfield and remained very close to their immediate family members. Gilbert was lovingly known as a “jack of all trades” and had knowledge about many things. He enjoyed woodworking, making his own stringed instruments, games for the grandchildren, and other assorted items; music; auto mechanics, flowers, trees, and wildlife; constellations and the idea of space exploration; boating, hunting and fishing; literature, chemistry and math; and loved his wife with absolute devotion and his children dearly. There wasn’t much which did not interest him nor was there much he could not tell you about. He was a great story teller and made everything interesting and wonderful. Cremation will be accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute Center. Inurnment will take place at Wheeler Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the charity of their choice.