Richard E. Gibler

Richard E. Gibler, 92, died Sunday, April 17th, 2016 at his home in Jefferson City, Missouri.
He was the son of Solomon E. “Dewey” Gibler and Millie Vogel Gibler.
He was born on March 22, 1924 at Marion Township near Centertown, Missouri, one of nine children. He was a 1941 graduate of Centertown High School
Achieving the rank of Radioman 2nd Class, Richard was a veteran of World War II and saw service with the 6th Naval Beach Battalion in both the European and Pacific Theaters of War. He landed on Omaha Beach immediately behind the first waves on D-Day morning, June 6, 1944. He stayed on Omaha Beach until his unit was withdrawn to England in August. With Winston Churchill aboard while traveling to a conference in Nova Scotia, Richard sailed back to the United States on the Queen Mary. After a short leave at home with his parents, he reported to San Francisco for duty in the Pacific. His service in the Pacific took him to many islands, including participation in the invasion of Okinawa in April of 1945. During recent years, he presented talks to students and gave interviews discussing his war-time experiences. A highlight of his senior years was being able to participate in an Honor Flight to the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC. He enjoyed attending Navy reunions with his many comrades. He was honored at Jefferson City’s Knights of Columbus’ “Operation Bugle Boy” salute to veterans in 2015.
Following the war, he returned to the Jefferson City area and soon began his career with Missouri Power and Light (MP&L), later Ameren UE.
He was united in marriage to Jenetia Gemeinhardt on Sep 3, 1950 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Lohman. In the first years of marriage, Richard, Jenetia and Jenetia’s dad, C.W. Gemeinhardt, built the brick house they called home for nearly 40 years.
The Giblers’ enjoyed life, caring for their family, being active in the Lohman Community Association, and being active church members in Lohman. Richard retired from MP&L in 1986 and in 1990 moved to Jefferson City near Binder Lake. He especially enjoyed fishing and visiting with his brother in law, Virgil Gemeinhardt, at his Table Rock Lake cabin.
He is survived by his wife, Jenetia, of the home, their two children, Jacqueline Gibler Tinsley (Tom) of Overland Park, Kansas and son, Glenn Gibler (Carma) of Houston, Texas, and two granddaughters, Hayley and Grace Gibler. Surviving brothers and sisters include Jean Gibler Wright, William F. Gibler, Evelyn Gibler Belt Stock, Rita Beth Gibler Connell, and Catherine Gibler Vaughan. Siblings who preceded him in death are Laverne Wadley Carlson, James Dewey Gibler, and Roy Lee Gibler (died in infancy).
Richard was a life-long member of and dedicated many volunteer hours to service at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Lohman. He served as a member of the Russellville School Board from the 1960’s to the early 1970’s. He loved dancing, card club, watching NASCAR, and was a wood working craftsman who created many beautiful pieces of furniture. He was quick to help members of the community and was frequently engaged in refinishing and helping restore wood furniture for friends and acquaintances. He loved to tell stories and had a wide circle of friends. Given the nature of his work with Missouri Power and Light, he grew to know many Cole County residents and took pride in knowing the area’s farms and roads very well.
The family will receive friends at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Lohman on Saturday, April 23 from 9:30 to 11:00 am. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 am with Rev. Cynthia Schnaath officiating. A fellowship luncheon will follow the service in the church Fellowship Hall from 12:00 to 1:30 pm. Entombment, with military honors, will be held at Hawthorn Memorial Gardens, 4205 Horner Road, Jefferson City at 2:00 p.m.
Memorials may be made to the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Perpetual Cemetery Fund – % St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, PO Box 15, Lohman, MO 65053, or the Hospice Compassus – Hospice & Palliative Care – 600 Monroe St., Suite 100, Jefferson City, MO 65101.

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Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Paul's Perpetual Cemetery Fund, % St. Paul's Lutheran Church - PO Box 15, Lohman, MO 65053 or Hospice Compassus - Hospice & Palliative Care - 600 Monroe St., Jefferson City, MO 65101.

Military funeral honors will be rendered immediately following the committal service at the mausoleum.

Saturday, April 23, 2016 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM

St. Paul's Lutheran Church-Lohman 8618 Church Hill Drive Lohman, MO 65053

Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Paul's Perpetual Cemetery Fund, % St. Paul's Lutheran Church - PO Box 15, Lohman, MO 65053 or Hospice Compassus - Hospice & Palliative Care - 600 Monroe St., Jefferson City, MO 65101.

Saturday, April 23, 2016 11:00 AM

St. Paul's Lutheran Church-Lohman 8618 Church Hill Drive Lohman, MO 65053

Saturday, April 23, 2016 2:00 PM

Hawthorn Memorial Gardens Mausoleum 4205 Horner Road Jefferson City, MO 65109

Military funeral honors will be rendered immediately following the committal service at the mausoleum.