GOSHEN -- Ronald Ralph "Ron" Gilbert, 65, of Goshen went home to be with his Lord and Savior at 8:10 p.m. Thursday (April 9, 2009) in Goshen General Hospital after an extended illness.

He was born on Dec. 15, 1943, in Goshen to Clifford and Naomi (Rice) Gilbert. He married Evelyn M. Brock on March 1, 1990, in Hollywood Shores, Mich.

She survives along with one daughter, Ronda Hupp of Muncie; one sister, Faye Jacobs of Goshen; two stepsons, Michael Walden of Indianapolis and Ronald (Terry) Walden of Elkhart; one stepdaughter, Debra Haynes of South Bend; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Ron retired from Vincent Bach of Elkhart in 2006 after 35 years of service there as an instrument packer. He also worked at the Dunlap Meijer's Store for about nine years as well.

He was an accomplished saxophone player and enjoyed any occasion that allowed him to play. He was an avid movie aficionado and could identify just about any actor by name. He liked old Westerns the best but also liked Lawrence Welk and Andy Griffith and would regularly gather up the grandchildren to purchase DVDs or rent movies for the evening. He loved spending time with his wife as well and would often help her tend her flowers and tomato plants. They often would dine out at Callahan's Restaurant or the Old Country Buffet, being among their favorite places to go.

A gathering of friends and family will take place at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday where the evening service will culminate with a time of sharing of memories and a prayer. No formal services have been scheduled.

Ron will be cremated the following day.

Memorials will be given to The American Liver Foundation, 75 Maiden Lane, Suite 603, New York, NY 10038.