Obituary for Harry C. Gilbert
Harry C. Gilbert, 77, of Danbury, Iowa passed away Monday, November 9, 2015, at Maple Heights Nursing Home in Mapleton, Iowa. The funeral service will be Friday, November 13, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at The Danbury United Methodist Church in Danbury, Iowa with Pastor Gary Fridley, officiating. Military honors will be provided at the church by the American Legion Carlson-Frum Post #336 of Danbury. Burial will be in the Liston Township Cemetery at Danbury. Visitation will be at church Thursday, November 12 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Armstrong Funeral Home of Danbury and Mapleton has been entrusted with the arrangements and the family is receiving condolences on line at www.armstrongfuneral.com.
Harry Charles Gilbert was born April 23, 1938, at Danbury, Iowa, the son of Clark and Nilmah (Baker) Gilbert. He and his three sisters grew up at Danbury and Harry graduated from the Danbury Public High School with the class of 1956. He attended Westmar College in LeMars for one year. He then enlisted into the Unites States Army and served three years in the Medical Corp in Korea.
After his service he enrolled at the University of South Dakota at Vermillion and graduated there in 1964 with a degree in business administration. His first job was with Peter Kiewitt out of Omaha who sent him to one of their construction sites near Buffalo, New York for two years. In 1968 he came back to Iowa and worked for the Commerce Department in Des Moines auditing public books. Two years later he obtained a job with the Los Angeles County Assessors Office, allowing him to be near his sisters, Kay and Barb.
Harry decided to go to horse shoeing school in Porterville, California, a career he really enjoyed. He then studied to pass his real estate exams and started selling real estate in 1976. With a strong desire to work outdoors, in 1980, he moved to LaHabra, California and started a landscaping business. Due to developing skin cancer, Harry had to get out of the sun. He was also a long haul truck driver for Swift, Schuster, and Mau.
Harry has lived in Danbury in the family home since 2002. He continued to love taking care of his yard and growing lots of flowers, wearing his signature wide brimmed hat.
His passion was watching all sports, in person or on TV. He rarely missed any football, baseball. softball, or basketball game involving Maple Valley Anthon-Oto School. He was also a devoted fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. Wherever Harry lived, he enjoyed golfing and in recent years played at Willow Vale Golf Course in Mapleton.
Harry was a faithful member of the Danbury United Methodist Church where he also served as treasurer for 12 years. He was also an active member of the American Legion Carlson-Frum Post #336 of Danbury and volunteered as a driver for the Danbury Ambulance for 10 years.
Survivors include three sisters, Barbara Tucker and her husband, Keith of Glenwood, Iowa, Kay Pfaffle of Placentia, California, and Mary Ortner and her husband, Leon Swede of Danbury, Iowa; five nieces and nephews, Patti Lyons, Jim Tucker, Diane Enger, Debbie Reynoso, and Carol Salina.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother-in-law, Tom Pfaffle; and his dog,Babe.
Memorials may be directed to the Danbury United Methodist Church or the Maple Valley Anthon-Oto Athletics, all in Harrys honor.
Service:
Friday, November 13, 2015 10:30 a.m.ξ
United Methodist Church Danbury, Iowaξ
Visitation:
Thursday, November 12, 2015 5:00-7:00 p.m.ξ
United Methodist Church Danbury, Iowaξ
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Harry Charles Gilbert was born April 23, 1938, at Danbury, Iowa, the son of Clark and Nilmah (Baker) Gilbert. He and his three sisters grew up at Danbury and Harry graduated from the Danbury Public High School with the class of 1956. He attended Westmar College in LeMars for one year. He then enlisted into the Unites States Army and served three years in the Medical Corp in Korea.
After his service he enrolled at the University of South Dakota at Vermillion and graduated there in 1964 with a degree in business administration. His first job was with Peter Kiewitt out of Omaha who sent him to one of their construction sites near Buffalo, New York for two years. In 1968 he came back to Iowa and worked for the Commerce Department in Des Moines auditing public books. Two years later he obtained a job with the Los Angeles County Assessors Office, allowing him to be near his sisters, Kay and Barb.
Harry decided to go to horse shoeing school in Porterville, California, a career he really enjoyed. He then studied to pass his real estate exams and started selling real estate in 1976. With a strong desire to work outdoors, in 1980, he moved to LaHabra, California and started a landscaping business. Due to developing skin cancer, Harry had to get out of the sun. He was also a long haul truck driver for Swift, Schuster, and Mau.
Harry has lived in Danbury in the family home since 2002. He continued to love taking care of his yard and growing lots of flowers, wearing his signature wide brimmed hat.
His passion was watching all sports, in person or on TV. He rarely missed any football, baseball. softball, or basketball game involving Maple Valley Anthon-Oto School. He was also a devoted fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. Wherever Harry lived, he enjoyed golfing and in recent years played at Willow Vale Golf Course in Mapleton.
Harry was a faithful member of the Danbury United Methodist Church where he also served as treasurer for 12 years. He was also an active member of the American Legion Carlson-Frum Post #336 of Danbury and volunteered as a driver for the Danbury Ambulance for 10 years.
Survivors include three sisters, Barbara Tucker and her husband, Keith of Glenwood, Iowa, Kay Pfaffle of Placentia, California, and Mary Ortner and her husband, Leon Swede of Danbury, Iowa; five nieces and nephews, Patti Lyons, Jim Tucker, Diane Enger, Debbie Reynoso, and Carol Salina.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother-in-law, Tom Pfaffle; and his dog,Babe.
Memorials may be directed to the Danbury United Methodist Church or the Maple Valley Anthon-Oto Athletics, all in Harrys honor.
Service:
Friday, November 13, 2015 10:30 a.m.ξ
United Methodist Church Danbury, Iowaξ
Visitation:
Thursday, November 12, 2015 5:00-7:00 p.m.ξ
United Methodist Church Danbury, Iowaξ
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