Bernard F. Gibbons

Age 92 of Monroe, died Saturday, September 12, 2015 at his home. Bernard was born on February 28, 1923 in Monroe, the son of Archie and Elda (Matzke) Gibbons. He graduated from Monroe High School in 1941 and married Ruth Mae Wilkinson in 1943. He entered the United States Marine Corp in 1942, serving in Guam during WWII. Bernard owned Gibbons Fifth Avenue Cleaners which was destroyed in the 1965 Palm Sunday Tornado. He worked for Roy's Dairy, Wisconsin Power and Light, and retired from Industrial Combustion in 1987. He was a member of St. Victors Catholic Church.

He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Ruth Gibbons of Monroe; six children, Greg (Mary) Gibbons of Oshkosh, Debra Haeft of Evansville, Jeff (Jane) Gibbons of Albany, Jennifer (Bob) Duxstad of Monroe, Peggy Frint of Monroe, and Joe (Kelly) Gibbons of Moore, OK; 17 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; and a brother, Tom (Mary) Gibbons of Florida. He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Sharon Kay; grandchildren, Shari Lynn Popanz, Anthony and Colleen; brothers, Bill, Richard, Archie, and Eddie Gibbons; sisters, Alice Raymer, Wanda Niles, and Isabel Gibbons in infancy.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, September 18, 2015, at 11:00 a.m., at St. Clare of Assisi Parish at St. Victor Catholic Church with Father Michael Klarer, Celebrant. Interment with military honors will be in Calvary Cemetery, Monroe, followed by a luncheon at the American Legion. Visitation will be at the church on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. An "Irish Wake" will be held on Friday evening starting at 5:00 p.m. at Flanagan's Shenanigans. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund will be established for Hospicio De San Jose, the orphanage in the Philippines where his granddaughter, Sarah, lived. The Newcomer Funeral Home, Monroe, is assisting the family.

Semper fidelis