John R. "Jack" Gilbert

John R. “Jack” Gilbert, 88, a resident of Princeton, Iowa died on Sunday, September 14, 2008 at the Bettendorf Healthcare Center.
His funeral service will be held at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, September 17,2008 at the 1st Assembly of God Church, 1811 18th St. in Bettendorf, Iowa. Burial will be in Davenport Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday at the McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home, Bettendorf. Memorials may be made to the family.
He was born August 6, 1920 at the family home in LeClaire, Iowa, the son of John R. & Grace M. (Adams) Gilbert Sr. On May 5, 1943, he was united in marriage to Doris M. Hahn in Davenport. John & Doris met at a roller skating rink in Davenport. They lived & raised their family in Princeton, Iowa in the home he built himself. She preceded him in death on December 30, 2002.
John grew up on a farm in LeClaire and did farm work for neighbors in the area. He retired on August 30, 1985 as a crew leader from the Iowa-Illinois Gas & Electric Company after 38 years of service. He joined the company as a guardsman/patrolman, was promoted to lineman apprentice in 1948, to journeyman lineman in 1951 and to crew leader in 1973.
In earlier years, he & his brother, Charles “Chap” owned & operated a television & radio repair business out of John’s home.
Activities he enjoyed in earlier years were hunting, fishing, gardening, the out-of-doors, bowling and playing cards with his friends. He also played guitar, was a great yodeler and sang with his brothers-in-law. He had a life-long love of country music. John also enjoyed bringing home trees he would find growing wild along country roads and planting them in his yard.
John was faithful in feeding the birds & wild animals in his backyard, a regular chore that his wife had started many years ago. He also continued to care for their beloved cat, “Allie” who became his constant companion.
His family was the love of his life and he enjoyed playing with all the grandkids during their frequent visits.
Those left to honor his memory include his daughters, Carolyn J. (Michael R.) Wolff, Doris M. (Dan) Lingle and Lois A. (Tom) Fletcher, all of Bettendorf and Susan K. Morris of Princeton, Iowa; ten grandchildren; and twenty-two great-grandchildren.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his son, Cary Lee; seven sisters; one brother; and his parents and two great-grandchildren. He is the last of this particular Gilbert family.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Bettendorf Healthcare Center staff and Amenity Hospice for their loving care.
Condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting his obituary at www.McGinnis-Chambers.com.