Denzel Floyd Gilbert

Aug. 1, 1923-June 22, 2005

Denzel Floyd Gilbert, 81, died Wednesday (June 22, 2005) at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook.

He was born in Achilles, Kan., on August 1, 1923, to Floyd Brice and Harriet Stowe (Raber) Gilbert. He graduated from Decatur Community High School in Oberlin, Kan., in 1942.

He married Vesta Elaine Brown in Atwood on August 20, 1944. To this union three daughters were born, Sharon, Sherrel and Gwen.

He was a self-employed farmer and truck driver in the Oberlin and Atwood Communities. He moved to McCook in June of 2000.

He loved his children, grandchildren. He also enjoyed coffee with his friends, and ballroom dancing.

Preceding him in death were his parents; a sister, Gladys Gilbert; a son-in-law, Carl Adams; and three brothers-in-law, Ben Hammerschmidt, Walt Shaw and Vinton Brown; a sister-in-law, Alby Gilbert; nephew Wilbur Baker; niece Kathryn Knopp.

Survivors include: his wife Vesta of McCook; three daughters, Sharon Frick and husband LaVern of Herndon, Kan., Sherrel Adams of McCook, and Gwen Solko and husband Ken of McCook; a brother Jay Gilbert of Colby, Kan.; two sisters, Gly Shaw of Topeka, Kans., and Cletis Hammerschmidt of Hays, Kan.; a sister-in-law Volna Brown of Colorado Springs, Colo.; seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers a memorial has been set up in his name.

Memorial services will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at St. Alban's Episcopal Church with Rev. Sam Williams officiating. There will be a private family inurnment at a later date.

Cremation has taken place. Friends and family may sign his book at the funeral home during business hours or may go online at www.carpenterbreland.com to leave condolences.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.