Robert L. Gibbons

Robert Leo Gibbons, 77, of Clinton passed away on Thursday March 28, 2024, at Union Hospital in Clinton. He was born on February 21, 1947, to Leo Franklin Gibbons and Frances (Moore) Gibbons. Robert was preceded in death by his parents; brother Larry Gibbons; maternal grandparents Alberta Ippen Moore and Otto Moore; paternal grandparents Clarence Gibbons and Fae Jones Gibbons and son-in-law Lenney Jackson.

He is survived by his wife Sandra Gibbons; son Bobby Gibbons (Lisa); daughter Wendy Gibbons Jackson (Jeff Link); granddaughters Harley Jackson Harpenau (Patrick) and Abbi Lee; grandsons Hunter Jackson (Andrea), Dawson Gill, and Collin Gill; great-granddaughter Briella Gill, great-grandsons Jackson and Hudson Harpenau; brother Randy Gibbons (Shirley); sister Barbara Palmer; sister-in-law Debbie Gibbons and several nieces and nephews.

Robert graduated from Clinton High School in 1965 and then went to work at the Milwaukee Railroad before joining the army in 1967 serving until 1969 during the Vietnam war. Robert married Sandra Kay Davitto on November 21, 1969. They had two children son Bobby and daughter Wendy, and they also raised their two nieces Deeann and Marie Bennett. After he left the army in 1969, he went to work for GTE in Terre Haute until an unsuccessful back surgery caused him to retire in 1990.  In his retirement he enjoyed working with his son and his work crew. He had many interests and hobbies. Robert and his wife Sandra bowled in a couple’s mixed league, and he bowled in a men’s league. He enjoyed hunting, fishing (both pleasure and tournament fishing) and mushroom hunting. He loved playing poker and going to the casino. He played guitar in Stormers band during his high school years. After returning from the army, he played in his fathers’ band the Midwest Playboys until 1990 when he began playing with the Country Music Makers band.

Robert had many memberships which included the Indiana Freemason Twelve Points Lodge No. 769 in Terre Haute, St.  Bernice American Legion Post 108, VFW Post 6653 in Clinton, Indiana, Montezuma Fish and Game Club, St.  Bernice Sportsman Club, and the Wabash Valley Musicians Hall of Fame. He was a former member of the Clinton Lunker Landers Fishing Club. He was founder and President of the Stump Jumpers Four Wheel Drive Club.

Visitation will be at First Funeral Home on Monday April 1, 2024, from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Service will be at Frist Funeral Home on Tuesday April 2, 2024, at 2:30 pm. Military Rites will be prior to service. Burial will follow at Sugar Grove Cemetery in Chrisman, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Parke-Vermillion Humane Shelter in memory of Robert.

Online condolences and fond memories may be shared at www.fristfuneralhome.com.

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