May 3, 1934 - Oct. 28, 2009

ELKHART -- Chester J. Gibson, 75, of Middlebury, died at 1:45 a.m. Wednesday (Oct. 28, 2009) in Elkhart General Hospital.

He was born May 3, 1934, in Clay County, W.Va., to the late Wence and Nettie (Morris) Gibson. On Jan. 1, 1982, he married Jeannie Black in New Paris.

She survives along with two sons, Tony (Carol) Black of Millersburg and Chester (Vicki) Gibson Jr. of Goshen; four daughters, Evelyn (Sonny) Rinehart of Middlebury, Linda (Ron) Swinehart of Elkhart, Robin (Brad) Anderson of Monnett and Stacy (Bill) Mc-Kenzie of South Bend; 19 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; four brothers, Carl Gibson of Tucson, Ariz., Emil (Mary) Gibson of Allen, Mich., Bobby Gibson of Clay County and Harold (Faye) Gibson of Witcher, W.Va.; and four sisters, Sissy Dorsey and Carolyn (Bill) Moore, both of Inverness, Fla., Kathy Stanley of Witcher and Phyllis Banks of Hurricane, W.Va.

Chester was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Elizabeth Anne Gibson; four brothers, Leonard, Denzel, Branny and Donald Gibson; and one sister, Juanita Gibson.

Mr. Gibson worked as the head receiver for Carriage Inc., Middlebury, for 32 and a half years. Chester was a member of the Stone Lake Conservation Club and enjoyed collecting and playing guitars, mandolins and banjos. He also had a passion for antique cars and trucks.

He will be greatly missed by his two dogs, Misty Kay and Riley James.

Friends may call from 3 to 5 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, 2009, at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart. Friends also may call for one hour prior to the 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009, funeral service at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, located at 3415 Pleasant Plain Ave., Elkhart, with his son, Chester Gibson Jr., to officiate. Burial and graveside services will follow in Gracelawn Cemetery in Middlebury.

Memorials may be given to the Humane Society of Elkhart County, 54667 C.R. 19, Bristol, IN 46507. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.billingsfuneralhome.com.