Walter Gibbs

Walter A. Gibbs, 91, of St. Louis passed away at Gratiot Medical Center in Alma on July 4, 2007.

He was born October 17, 1915, in Almont, Michigan, the son of Freeman and Jenny ( Muir ) Gibbs. After his mothera�(TM)s death in 1929, Walt moved to Capac to live with family. He attended Capac High School where he lettered in varsity baseball, basketball, football, and track. He also was a drummer in the high school band. Upon graduation, Walt moved to St. Louis where he was employed by the company that constructed Michigan Chemical Company ( later known as Velsicol Chemical Corporation ). After the construction was complete, he was later hired by Michigan Chemical Corporation to work in the plant. On November 29, 1935, Walter married Ruthaileen Secord in Toledo, Ohio. They have been lifelong residents of St. Louis.

Walt participated in many community activities, including construction of the W.T. Morris Memorial Swimming Pool, the Lions Club, Masons, County Board of Supervisors, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and the Saturday Nighters dances. He was President of the Purchasing Agents Association of Michigan. He was an avid sports fan, bird hunter and fisherman. He and his friends traveled to many states to bird hunt. Upon demolition of Velsicol Chemical Corporation, Walter retired after forty-four years of employment. He and Ruthaileen spent their winters at their home in Thunderbird Mobile Park in Fort Myers, Florida. While there, Walter participated in many activities: the Mena�(TM)s Club, pitching horseshoes, fishing, and playing bridge, cribbage and euchre.

Walt is survived by his wife of seventy-one years, Ruthaileen, his son Jerry
( Charlotte ) Gibbs of Vestaburg, daughters Ruth Gibbs of St. Louis, Carol Crumbaugh of Kalamazoo, and Merrilee ( Michael ) Allen of St. Louis, nine grandchildren, and seventeen great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his seven siblings, and his son Terry Gibbs.

Friends may meet with the family at Smith Family Funeral Homes St. Louis chapel on Friday, July 6, 2007, from 2 to 4 and 6-8 P.M. Funeral services will be at the Saint Louis First United Methodist Church on Saturday, July 7, 2007 at 1:00 P.M. with Pastor Lillian French officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Louis Historical Society, the St. Louis Public Library, St. Louis Boy Scouts of America Troop #609, or the American Cancer Society.

The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis chapel and online condolences may be sent to: www. smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com

Read Walter Gibbs's Obituary and Guestbook on smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com.