Kenneth Wayne "Ken" Gilbert

Mr. Kenneth Wayne “Ken” Gilbert, 68, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully Elkhart General Hospital on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021 at 5:13 pm after an illness. Ken was born in Kankakee County, Illinois on March 12, 1953 and wound up in an orphanage, not ever really knowing about his parents, his family, or even his own personal history. Undoubtedly, these kinds of circumstances can play heavily in shaping one’s future, and Ken chose a life of quiet reserve and inward personal reflection, never ever speaking much about “what was…” He did, however, manage to find himself a fine lady named Sally Simmons who married Ken at some point during his lifetime. We can only assume that they shared a similar outlook on life, and she survives him yet today.

What IS known about Kenny began with the interaction of kindly neighbors Nancy and Randy Russell, who took notice to Ken and Sally’s growing health limitations and began to assist them with tasks like cleaning, cooking, running errands and going to doctors’ appointments. As we alluded to earlier, Ken nor Sally ever spoke much of their past, so it was never quite clear if they had children or any other family. Sadly, it was certainly apparent that no one ever came to visit. It was also known that Ken served in the US Army, but to what extent remains a mystery.

            However, Nancy will be the first to tell you that Kenny had a “heart of gold as big as Texas”, and that he’d never, ever hesitate to come running if he knew someone needed some help. He was quite the accomplished handy-man and made a living on doing odd jobs and repairing lawn-mowers and other gas-powered lawn equipment.  He was also an old car enthusiast and loved to attend car shows or watch them on TV, and he really loved dogs. In fact, he is preceded in death by shepherds “Baby Girl” and “Lady”; companions he had at different times in his life who, no doubt, helped fill a heart with love.

            Billings Funeral Home and Funeral Services of Elkhart are honored to assist Nancy and Randy by taking care of Ken’s cremation arrangements. Currently, no immediate services have been planned.

            If we may, Billings Funeral Home would like to take this opportunity to thank Nancy and Randy Russell for their selfless assistance with Ken and Sally’s life. Across the globe, people die lonely, rejected and forgotten; almost always through no fault of their own. The Russells basically rescued the Gilberts from such a fate, and we applaud their decision to do what can only be described as God’s Work and see to it that Ken and Sally lived a safe, dignified lives. Currently, Sally remains under their care. As it has been said many times, sometimes family doesn’t have to be blood.

Memorial donations may be given to the charity of one’s choice. Friends and relatives are encouraged to read the entire obit and leave condolences, memories and/or pictures of Ken by clicking “Tribute Wall” on his obituary page on the funeral home’s website and then following the prompts.

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