John Gailbreath

John William “Bill” Gailbreath, 75, of Oregon, Illinois, formerly of Bettendorf, Iowa and Madison, Wisconsin, left this world at Loyola University Medical Center and ran into the arms of Jesus on Saturday, March 11, 2023.

A celebration of his life will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 19th at McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home in Bettendorf. The family will greet family and friends Sunday from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

Bill was born in Manistique, Michigan on October 31, 1947 to John and Leona Gailbreath. At the age of four he was sadly stricken with polio which became, not a roadblock, but a motivator in his life as he worked even harder to overcome the challenges it presented. Bill never let it hold him back. He graduated from Bettendorf High School in 1966 and attended the University of Iowa and Northern Illinois University. He furthered his “education” by hitchhiking to Haight Ashbury during the height of the “hippie” era, which he declares was a highlight of his early adulthood. From there, Bill ventured into the world of business, which he was well-suited for. As an entrepreneur, he was in business most of his life and had a passion for business management, having purchased or developed a variety of very successful business ventures, both locally and nationally. Bill spent the last 20 years of his career in the inner-city of Milwaukee assisting churches with financing and home rehabbing.

Aside from his businesses, throughout his life Bill passionately enjoyed golf (at which he was very accomplished), bicycling, music, and art. On his 50th birthday he decided to take his art passion even further and started painting prolifically. One of the joys of his life was displaying his artwork in various art shows and to be invited to The Grand Detour Art Festival in Grand Detour, Illinois … the oldest juried art show in the state. He opened his own art studio (Appaloosa Studio) in Oregon, Illinois where he gave art lessons and painted for endless hours. Bill’s memory will live on through the art collection he has left for many friends and family.

Bill lived life big and there aren’t words to fully express what an amazing man he was. Not only was he a successful businessman and artist, he was a very funny, good-natured man.  His sense of humor was one of his greatest assets and what easily endeared him to others.

Bill was married to the beautiful and caring Marlene Higgins of Sycamore, Illinois in 1970. Their marriage of 51 years sadly came to an end when Marlene passed away in December 2021 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. They had three children: Julie Ann Gailbreath of Charleston, South Carolina, Katie Ring Gailbreath of Madison, Wisconsin, and Kirby John Gailbreath (Michelle) of Lost Nation, Iowa.

In addition to his children, those left to honor Bill’s memory are his business partner of 23 years, best friend, and loving fiance, Cindy Klug; his grandchildren, Adrianna of Florence, Massachusetts, Landon of Anamosa, Iowa, Lily of Maquoketa, Iowa, and Dory of Lost Nation, Iowa; siblings, Kay (Mike) Toom and Patti (Wayne) Guinee; sister-in-law, Jeanne (Chuck) Maveus; life-long friends, Barry (late Judie) Wilken, Tom (Lou) Jefferson, and Gene (Susie) Belvel.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife; parents; sister, Evelyn Smith; mother-in-law, Doris and father-in-law, Frank Higgins; and sisters-in-law, Ellen Holder and April Luxton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or directed to the wishes of the Gailbreath family, in care of Kirby Gailbreath.