GILBERT G. "GIB" GRAY

COBDEN, Ill. -- Gilbert G. "Gib" Gray, 76, of Cobden, Ill. died Saturday, Nov. 9, at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Marion, Ill.

He was born Aug. 31, 1920 in Sikeston, the son of Garnett and Lala Robertson Gray. He married Vesta O. Rogers in May 1938 in Malden. She preceded him in death June 6, 1996. He was also preceded in death by a grandson, his parents, four sisters and one brother.

He is survived by one daughter, Janice Flamm of Beaver Dam, Wis.; two sons, Roger and Gilbert Gray of Cobden; two sisters, Gineve Vaughn of Sikeston, and Esther Ayers of Poplar Bluff; three brothers, William of Belleville, Ill., Daniel of Millstadt, Ill., and Wiley E. of Poplar Bluff; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Cobden, a veteran of World War II and a member of Cobden American Legion Post #259. He was a 40-year Fruit Grower Manager for American Fruit Growers, Metzler Orchards, Eckert Orchards in Cobden, Carbondale and Bonne Terre.

Friends may call at Lutz and Rendleman Funeral Home in Cobden from 5 to 8 p.m. today. Funeral services will be 11:30 a.m. Monday at the Lutz and Rendleman Funeral Home in Cobden with Rev. Dewayne Taylor officiating. Burial will follow in the Cobden Cemetery with full military honors by Cobden American Legion Post #259.