Donald Lee Gilbert, 81 departed this life Jan. 27, 2011, at Hospice Care Inpatient Center. He was born Saturday, Aug. 31, 1929, in Elkins, the son of the late Geneva Grace Smith Gilbert and the late Robert M. Gilbert. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family. Preceding him in death besides his parents was one sister, Martha Lou Gilbert Simmons; two brothers, Clearance Earl Gilbert and Harold Henry Gilbert; and one infant daughter, Mary. Left to cherish his memory are his devoted wife and caregiver, the former Frances Joan “Jody” Heckel; five sons, Donald Lloyd (Wanda), Thomas Michael, Edward Earl (Sue) and Robert William (Sallie), all of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, and James Francis and fianc, Michelle Mackan, of Elkins; grandchildren, Christopher Michael (Somer) of Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, Emily Gilbert and fiance, Tyler Burris, of Mount Pleasant, Marcy Brondsema (David J.) of Charleston, South Carolina, Cicely Gilbert and fianc, Patrick Pristas, of Cleveland, Ohio, Alexandra Gilbert of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and fianc, Michael Maglicco, serving in the United States Navy, Nathaniel Gilbert and Mary Scott Gilbert of Mount Pleasant; step-grandchildren, Michele (Brian) Reddish of Goose Creek, South Carolina, Dustin (Robin) Davis of Latrobe, Pennsylvania, Shannon (Andrew) Fischer of Morrisville, North Carolina, and Amie Davis of Charleston, South Carolina; great-grandchildren, Cheyanne and Carson Reddish, Ethan and Arianna Burris, Chelsey and Chloe Davis, Daniel Coughtry; and several cousins. Mr. Gilbert attended the schools of Randolph County and was a 1947 graduate of Elkins High School. He served in the United States Coast Guard 1950-53 and graduated from the United States Coast Guard Electrician Training School in Groton, Connecticut. He worked as an electrician for the Western Maryland, Chessie System and CSX Railways, spanning a 40-year career. Don was a member of the Saint Brendan Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, American Legion Post 29, a life member of the Post 3647 Veterans of Foreign Wars, National Association of Retired and Veteran Railway Workers (NARVRE), a long-time member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Elkins High School Alumni Association and a volunteer for many years with Sullivan’s Island Fire and Rescue in South Carolina. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. At the request of the deceased, his remains were cremated. A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, March 18, 2011 at 11AM at Saint Brendan Catholic Church. The Very Reverend Donald X. Higgs, V.F. will be the Celebrant and interment of the cremains will follow at the Saint Brendan Cemetery where members of the H.W. Daniel’s Post #29, American Legion and the Tygart Valley Post # 3647, Veterans of Foreign Wars will conduct full military honors. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association Chapter Headquarters, West Virginia 1111 Lee Street East, Charleston, West Virginia 25301 or to a charity of your choice in honor of Don.
