July 24, 1942 – September 5, 2026
Gilbert Albert Garbe, age 84, of Dieterich, Illinois, passed away on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at his home.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at the Saint John Lutheran Church, 22775 East 700th Avenue, Dieterich, Illinois, with Pastor Gary Fortkamp and Pastor Dean Herberts officiating. The burial will be in the Dieterich Village Cemetery south of Dieterich, Illinois. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Friday, September 11, 2026, at the church and again from 10:00 AM until service time on Saturday. Arrangements are under the care of the Meyer Funeral Home in Dieterich, Illinois. The obituary can be viewed and condolences left at www.meyerfh.com.
Gilbert was born on July 24, 1942, in Dieterich, Illinois, the son of Clarence A. and Myra I. (Pardieck) Garbe. He was a 1960 graduate of Dieterich High School and attended Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois. He married Vera Joan Parks on January 26, 1964, at Grace Lutheran Church, and she survives.
Gilbert worked at Effingham Equity and was a salesman for Shissler Seeds and LG Seeds for 30 plus years. He was a lifelong farmer, raising corn, soybeans, and wheat on the family farm.
Gilbert was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Dieterich, where he served as an Elder. In the early 1970’s Gilbert enjoyed coaching boys’ basketball at Elliottstown Grade School. He was a very active past member of the Lutheran Laymen League of Central Illinois District and received the Award of Merit on March 11, 1995. Gilbert was a member of the Dieterich Community Ruritan Club where he served as a past president and was a founding member of the Dieterich Community Education Foundation which gives scholarships to graduating seniors from Dieterich High School.
For eighteen years, Gilbert served on the board of directors of Norris Electric Cooperative representing Effingham County, from 2006 until his retirement in 2024. During his years of service, he earned his Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate, his Board Leadership Certificate, and his Director Gold Credential from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and renewed his director Gold status through continuing education.
Gilbert loved being able to work on his farm his whole lifetime. He loved to spend time in the woods and on the water. He was a successful fisherman and avid bow hunter. Above all he enjoyed his family, his grandchildren, and the community he gave so much of his life to.
Gilbert is survived by his wife of 62 years, Joan Garbe of Dieterich, Illinois; sons, Brad (wife, Dana) Garbe of Mason, Illinois and Brian (wife, Lisa) Garbe of Carterville, Illinois; grandsons, Grant Garbe, Austin (wife, Carina) Garbe, and Ethan Garbe; step-grandchildren, Gretchen (husband, James) Bright, Kurt (wife, Laura) Thull, and Zach (wife, Hillary) Thull; step-great-grandchildren, Jorie, Keeley, and Everly Bright, Drake and Elliot Thull, and Noah and Nash Thull; brother, Ernest Garbe of Dieterich, Illinois and sister, Norma Wendling of Effingham, Illinois; along with many special nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
Gilbert was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Myra Garbe; his brother-in-law, Robert J. Wendling; his sister-in-law, Patricia Garbe; and his parents-in-law, Carl and Lucille Parks.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tunnel to Towers, Lutheran Care Center, and Community Support System.
