HAVRE DAILY NEWS
Friday, December 15, 2006
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JOHN GILBERT
(Created: Friday, December 15, 2006 12:14 PM MST)
GREAT FALLS - John Millard Gilbert, 52, died at the Benefis East Medical
Center in Great Falls from complications of a stroke on
Wednesday evening, Dec. 13, 2006.
A vigil prayer service will be held
at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Rockman Funeral Chapel in Chester. The funeral Mass
will be held at noon Tuesday at St. Ann’s
Cathedral, 715 Third Ave. N.
in Great Falls.
A graveside service with military rites will be held at 2:30 p. m.
Tuesday at the Stanford
Cemetery.
John was born in Havre on Feb. 27, 1954, to Kenneth and Betty
(Fitzsimmons) Gilbert. He grew up in the Chester
community and received his education there, graduating from Chester High School
in 1973. John continued his schooling for a short time at the Missoula Votech, where he studied forestry. In 1974, he enlisted
into the U. S.Army. He spent most of his three-year
stint in Germany.
After receiving his honorable discharge in 1976, he returned to Montana. In 1977 John
and an old school buddy, Kent Matkin, built a new NAPA store in Stanford.
They worked as partners in this venture until 1979, when John bought out Kent’s interest
in the store. John continued to own and operate this NAPA dealership until
1995, then he sold the business. In 1997, he moved to Great Falls, where he worked in retail sales.
John also lived in Rigby, Idaho, for two years, then moved back to Great Falls where he was
currently employed at Home Depot. John suffered a stroke on Nov. 20 and
remained hospitalized until his death.
John married Barb Henga in Stanford. They had
two sons before their marriage ended in divorce.
During his life in Stanford, John helped coach the Little Leaguers. He
was also a member of Stanford American Legion Post No. 53. After moving to Great Falls, John enjoyed volunteer work at Benefis
Hospital. He recently
became active at St. Ann’s
Church, where he experienced a spiritual uplifting at a retreat. Consequently,
many of his recent readings and studies pertained to the Bible. John’s favorite
hobbies were fishing and hunting. He also enjoyed spectator sports, like Nascar, basketball, wrestling and
football - his favorite team was the Montana
Grizzlies. He enjoyed cooking, especially holiday turkeys. Basically, John was
a simple man who enjoyed the simple things in life. He loved to be with people
and was well-liked by people, so he established many special friendships over
the years.
Survivors include his sons, Calvin Gilbert of Great Falls and Kevin
Gilbert, a student at MSU Northern in Havre; parents, Kenneth and Betty Gilbert
of Chester; sisters, Karen (Dave) Mattson of Chester and Keila
Gilbert of Ottoville, Pa.; brother, Jim (Jeri)
Gilbert of Sylvania, Ohio; five nephews; four nieces; and several uncles, aunts
and cousins.
Memorials may be given to the Stanford Little League program, the Benefis Hospital Volunteer program, or the Hi- Line Health
Foundation in Chester.
Arrangements are by Rockman Funeral Chapel in Chester.
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GREAT FALLS TRIBUNE Saturday,
December 16, 2006
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Gilbert,
John M.
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 John M. Gilbert, 52, of 608
6th Ave. N., an Army veteran and former Stanford NAPA store owner, died of
complications from a stroke Wednesday in a local hospital.
His vigil is 8 p.m. Saturday at the
Rockman Funeral Chapel in Chester. His funeral is noon Tuesday at St. Ann's Cathedral in Great Falls,
with burial including military rites at 2:30 p.m. in Stanford Cemetery.
Rockman Funeral Chapel in Chester is handling arrangements.
He is survived by sons Calvin
Gilbert of Great Falls and Kevin Gilbert of Havre; his parents, Kenneth and
Betty Gilbert of Ches-ter; sisters Karen Mattson of
Ches-ter and Keila
Gilbert of Ottsville, Pa.; and a brother, Jim Gilbert of Sylvania, Ohio.
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Published in the Great Falls Tribune on 12/16/2006.
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