Vernon J. “Joe or Gus” Gibbons, 77, of Robinson, went to be with his Savior, Wednesday, January 3, 2018, at his home.

He was born November 22, 1941, near Robinson, the only child born to Clarence and Fern Glenn Gibbons.  Gus grew up at Robinson where he attended school there, graduating with the class of 1960.   He started his working career with the battery plant in Leavenworth until he was laid off.  He began work at the Leavenworth A&P Store, he was promoted to assisted manager working at the Holton A&P.  To satisfy a friend, he applied and was hired with the Michigan/Wisconsin Pipeline.  They had a natural gas compressor station at Havensville where he worked until 1970, moving to Louisiana.  In 1974, he then moved to Three Oaks, Michigan.  He was transferred to Lamoni, IA in 1983 where he retired in 2000.  The company changed names through the years and when he retired as superintendant after 33 years of service, it was known as El Paso Natural Gas.

Joe or Gus, as he was known to family and friends, was a dedicated family man, and most importantly, dedicated to his God. He was a member of the Nortonville Christian Church; Trinity Christian Church at Decatur, Iowa; was a member and elder of The Christian Center in Hiawatha.  He was a volunteer fireman at Three Oaks, Michigan while living there.  He enjoyed his hobby of woodworking, making keepsakes for each of the grandchildren.  To say that he was a Star Trek buff, would be an understatement!  He and his wife Janice, walked the Rose Hill Cemetery, Robinson, to assist them for mapping graves there.  Joe was a very dedicated “Find A Grave” member on the internet, and helped many folks find forgotten family members graves.

He married Janice DuBois, June 18, 1961, in Nortonville, KS.  In 2001, after remodeling his parent’s home, they retired to Robinson. She survives of the home.

Also surviving are his daughters: Debra Allen (Jerry) of Robinson, Danita Bourland of Hiawatha, and Deanna Beckmann (Kevin), also of Robinson; 7 grandchildren:  John, Holly, Kami, Kristen, Eric, Martina & Tyler; and 7 great-grandchildren:  Jaysen, Cayla, Zoey, Landon, Lane, Marc, and Aaron.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; and a son Jeffery Gibbons in 2006.

A Celebration of Gus’s life is planned for 2 p.m. Saturday, January 6, at the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hiawatha, with Pastor Tony French officiating.  Interment will be at the Rose Hill Cemetery, Robinson.

Friends may call at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hiawatha after 12 noon Friday, where the family will meet from 7 until 8:30 that evening.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Rose Hill Cemetery, sent in care of funeral home, 124 S 7th St., Hiawatha 66434.

 www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com