ELKHART -- Gerald L. "Jerry" McKibbin, 68, of Elkhart, died at 12 a.m.  Friday  (June 4, 2010) at Elkhart General Hospital, with his family by his side after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born May 29, 1942, in Bristol to Jennings G. and Bonita "Bonnie" (Kelley) McKibbin. In 1960, he married Karen S. Kenyon in Elkhart.

She survives at home. Also surviving are two daughters, Nancy (Doug) Kessler of Niles, Cindy (Tim) Forester of Bristol; one son, Michael "Mike" (Bernice) McKibbin of Goshen; one brother, Robert (Leslie) McKibbin of Bristol; one sister, Joyce Harris of Sturgis; his mother, Bonita "Bonnie" McKibbin of Middlebury; six grandchildren; and three step-grandchildren. A great-grandson is on the way.

He was preceded in death by his father and a sister, Jadine Stone.

Jerry worked for the city of Elkhart's Cemetery Department for 40 years, retiring in 2005 as a foreman. In appreciation for Jerry's service to the city, former Mayor David Miller proclaimed the main drive of Rice Cemetery as "McKibbin Boulevard."

He was also a member at the Northside Church of the Nazarene, where he served as a greeter and was the church bus driver. He was an avid Notre Dame fan and loved spending time with his grandchildren and working outdoors.

A celebration of Jerry's life will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Monday at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Northside Church of the Nazarene, 53569 C.R. 7, Elkhart. Pastors Lane Fosnaugh and Michael Bradley (a member of Jerry's family) will officiate.

Entombment will follow services on Tuesday at Peace Mausoleum at Rice Cemetery in Elkhart.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Ribbon of Hope Foundation.