Mr. Elmer J. "Jake" Gilbert, Jr.

Mr. Elmer J. “Jake” Gilbert, 71, of Galesburg passed away peacefully at 4:05 am Friday, April 29, 2022.

Jake was born August 8, 1950, in Lamar, Colorado, the son of Elmer J. and Alberta M. (Kilpatrick) Gilbert, Sr. He married Mary Kennedy and later Melody Taylor.

Jake is survived by his children; Adam (Gretchen) Gilbert of Abingdon, Illinois, Seth Gilbert of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Cheredith (Jeremy) Nelson of Viola, Illinois and Cierra Gilbert of Galesburg; his sister, Sue (Rod) Combs of Galesburg; and four grandchildren, Tyson Gilbert, Kaden Gilbert, Sebastian Gilbert and Eleanor Nelson. He is preceded in death by his father, Elmer J. Gilbert, Sr., his mother and stepfather, Alberta and Joe Vallero and his brother, Marvin R. Gilbert.

Jake served in the US Air Force from 1969-1973. He later made a career of driving as an over the road truck driver. He took pride in hauling heavy equipment such as tractors and other farm equipment. He was a member of the Greater Life Pentecostal church of Monmouth Illinois, where he enjoyed playing the guitar in the praise band.

Funeral Services are scheduled for 11:00 AM Wednesday, May 4, 2022, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel with Military Honors by Knox County Honor Guard. Rev. Nathaniel Aldrich will officiate. Cremation will follow services with a private family burial in Abingdon Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Defenders of Freedom Veterans Home. Online condolences and floral orders may be made at www.h-p-w.com

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