Kenneth Eugene Gilbert

Kenneth Eugene Gilbert was born on April 22, 1929 in Polo, Illinois to parents Rose (Anderson) Gilbert, Marcella Gilbert and Orville Gilbert. Kenneth married Patricia Ryberg in 1949 in Rockford, Illinois and was married for 61 years until her death in 2010.

Kenneth fathered five children: Kenneth Eugene Gilbert Jr., Donald Eugene Gilbert, Ronald Lee Gilbert, Roseann Baldwin and John Eugene Gilbert.

Kenneth was grandfather to Amanda DePastino, Ronald Lee Gilbert Jr., Anna Gilbert, Daniel Nephew, Thereasa Lipscomb, Donald Eugene Gilbert Jr., Cynthia Gilbert, Michael Kroll, Steven Kroll, Jeffrey Kroll, and Jessica Newman.

Kenneth had 28 great grandchildren: Alyssa, Isabella, Alexandra, Stephen, Kylie, Anthony, Ronnie III, Bristol, Christopher, Mia Rosalinda, Jeffrey Jr., Daniel Jr., Shyann, Heather, Jacob, KennyRay, Ainsley, Tristian, Naomi, Tidus, Trinnity, Alexi, Xavier, KC, Miaya, Dante, Stetson and Roper.

Kenneth also had 5 great great grandchildren: Ari’, Zak, Elah, Sophia and Audriana.

Kenneth was one of 12 children: Laverne Gilbert (Deceased), Escher Cox (Deceased), Opal Cruise (Deceased), Elma Haas (Deceased), Leona Sanders (Deceased), Marcelene Jones (Deceased), Val Gilbert (Deceased), Clifford/Shirley Gilbert (Living), Viola Phillips (Living), Edie/Tim Singley (Living), and LaVonne/Carroll Taylor (Living).

Kenneth grew up in Oregon, Illinois and had relatives in Dixon, Polo, Rock Falls and Sterling, Illinois. He enjoyed his childhood years and spent a lot of time with family and friends.

Kenneth joined the Marine Corp. at the age of 17 in 1946 and was in China during World War II.

Kenneth came to Arizona in 1954 to raise his family. He worked all of his life to provide for his family and enjoyed buying items for a bargain that he could fix and give away. He was an electrician by trade and a handyman to all who needed his expertise.

Kenneth enjoyed going to yard sales, garage sales, estate sales and anywhere he could find a good deal. He enjoyed talking to people and could make friends with a perfect stranger. He also loved eating at buffets of any kind and appreciated being driven around so that he could enjoy the scenery. Kenneth was a giving man who loved his wife Patricia and truly enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Kenneth Gilbert will be missed by his family and friends. He touched so many lives.

There was only one Kenneth Gilbert and he will be cherished for all of our lives. He will live on in each of us. Kenneth passed away in his sleep on December 30th, 2021 surrounded by family.