Delbert F. Gibbs, Jr., 83, of rural Hiawatha, died Saturday afternoon, October 12, 2019, at the Sabetha Manor where he had been a resident over two years.

Junior, as to how he was known to family and friends, was one of nine children born to the late Delbert Sr. and Mellissa Solomon Gibbs and had lived all but two and half years in Brown County, Kansas. He was born east of White Cloud in Brown County, March 19, 1936 and attended first grade at Hilltop County School, prior to the family moving to live near Powhattan where he attended country school through the eighth grade. He served in the 2 BN, 130th FA, Kansas Army National Guard in Hiawatha from 1957 until 1960, discharged at the rank of Specialist 4th Class. Junior worked for area famers, doing whatever needed to be done whether it would be fieldwork, machinery, livestock, etc. Junior worked for Bill & Anna Mary Mueller, northeast of Hiawatha for 18 years before retiring. Needing something to do, he worked for Abitibi Price Wood Shutter Plant in Hiawatha a short time. He loved working with animals: poultry, goats, with rabbits being the favorite. Least favorite animal he was scared of horses! Interesting to note that he started on the farm with horses and mules, ending his career with tractors.

He was a former member of BPOE #1741, Hiawatha Elks Lodge.

Delbert married Glenna Hellwig March 3, 1958 at Rulo, Nebraska. They made the Hiawatha area their home where the raised their family. They did live a few years in Petis County, MO before returning home. Glenna died February 17, 2011. He was also preceded in death by his parents, step daughter Vickie Paul, six siblings: Lillian Gladhart, Robert “Bud” Gibbs, Joe Gibbs, Naomi Flett, Mary Burnett, and Harry Gibbs.

Survivors include two sons: Dennis (Sherry) of rural Hiawatha, Delwin (Lisa) of W. Burlington, Iowa, sister Rebecca Spaight of Hiawatha, brother Jerry Gibbs of Kansas City, 8 grandchildren: Brandon, Cody, Ashlee, Emily, Kayla, Brandi, Melissa, Sarah, and 11 great-grandchildren.

Services are planned for 11 a.m. Thursday, October 17, at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, Hiawatha. Brad Farr will officiate. Interment will follow at Cornelison Cemetery, east of Reserve.

Friends may call at the funeral home after 10 a.m. Wednesday where the family will meet from 6 until 8 that evening.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Hope Brown County, sent in care of the funeral home, 124 S 7th St., Hiawatha 66434.

A special message or note of comfort may be sent to the family at www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com