DERMONT “GIL” GILBERTS
Dermont “Gil” Gilberts, 95, passed away quietly in his sleep on Tuesday, January 19, 2016 at the Black Hawk Senior Residence in Fort Atkinson, WI.
Gil was born October 7, 1920 to Rena and Henry Gilberts in rural Sand Creek, WI. His family moved to Colfax, WI in 1937. Gil graduated from Colfax High School in 1939. He married his high school sweetheart, Mary Conway on December 4, 1941 in the Colfax Methodist Church. Shortly after their marriage they lived in Madison while Gil worked at the Badger Ordnance Works during its construction.
Gil served in the United States Army from 1943 to 1946; he spent 30 months in Ahwaz, Iran in the Persian Gulf Command. When he returned from overseas, Gil and Mary again moved to Madison where Gil worked for 37 years for the Piggly Wiggly and Eagle Food Store, until his retirement in 1983. He worked in several stores as Produce Manager, and then as Produce Supervisor for all sixteen Southern Wisconsin stores.
Gil was admired and respected for his ever-pleasant disposition and willing helpfulness. These attributes were abundantly displayed by his loving care of Mary after her disability. Gil loved flowers and looked forward each spring to planting his gardens around his home for everyone to enjoy.
Gil and Mary enjoyed many world-wide travels. They toured the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. They had a fantastic photo safari trip in Kenya, Africa, toured all of the Scandinavian countries, most of Europe (including Russia) and Asia (including Japan, Taiwan, Philippines, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore and mainland China). Sadly, their world travels came to an end with Mary’s disability in 1993. Dave and Judy took Gil to Spain in 2000, the last place they both wanted to see.
Also in 2000, two years after Mary’s death, Gil moved to Fort Atkinson. There he became an intracal part of Dave and Judy’s social life where their friends became his friends. This included occasional visits to Bienfangs, the VFW, and the Belmont where the staff would reserve the best seat in the house for Gil for Packer games.
Gil is survived by his son, Dave (Judy); his sister-in-law, Greta of Jeffersonville, IN and many nieces and nephews.
Gil was preceded in death by his wife Mary (1998); his parents, Rena and Henry Gilberts; his parents-in-law, Gaynell and Terence Conway; one sister, Gilla Smith and four wonderful brothers, Alvin, Mervin, Gordy and Norman “Snort” Gilberts.
Gill will be greatly missed by his new extended family here in Fort, especially the wonderful staff at the Black Hawk where he resided the past year and a half.
Dave and Judy will be hosting an informal celebration of life at a later date.
The Dunlap Memorial Home in Fort Atkinson is assisting the family.