Gerald Duane Willibey

Gerald Duane Willibey, age 86, of Butler, Indiana, died at 2:40 A.M. on Thursday, August 23, 2012, in his home after an extended illness. Mr. Willibey was a 1944 graduate of Metz High School as class valedictorian. He worked for Dana Corporation in Fort Wayne, Indiana, retiring in 1977 with thirty years of service, and then farmed the family farm until his retirement in 1991. He was also a longtime member of Zion United Methodist Church in Hamilton, Indiana. He enjoyed traveling to Harlingen, Texas, in the winter with his wife, Eileen, to visit with friends in the Sunshine RV Park. They would always travel home in the spring to familiar surroundings on their farm in Butler, Indiana. Duane loved his family and would host “family camp” every summer in July for his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Gerald Duane Willibey was born on April 4, 1926, near Metz, Indiana, the son of Fred and Emma (Gilbert) Willibey. He married Eileen (Coulson) Wright on August 17, 1985, and she survives. Survivors also include two daughters, Nila (Larry) App, of Bristol, Indiana, and Rita (Kim) Duchane, of North Manchester, Indiana; two sons, Gary (Sheila) Willibey, of Atlanta, Georgia, and Alan (Teresa) Willibey, of Butler, Indiana; one stepson, David (Patty) Wright, of Angola, Indiana; one stepdaughter, Debra (Albert) Atmore, of Southampton, New Jersey; thirteen grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; and one brother, Donnell Dean “Rye” Willibey, of Hamilton, Indiana. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Velma (Dohner) Willibey, one brother, Gilbert Willibey, and one sister, Aliene (Willibey) Brooks. Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 26, 2012, from 4:00-8:00 P.M. in the Krill Funeral Home, 114 East Hull Street, Edgerton, Ohio. Services will be held on Monday, August 27, 2012, at 11:00 A.M. in the Zion United Methodist Church, Hamilton, Indiana, with Pastor Jack Smith and Reverend Dr. Saneta Maiko officiating. The family will also receive visitors for one hour prior to the service, beginning at 10:00 A.M., in the church. Interment will be in Eddy Cemetery, Hamilton, Indiana. Memorials are requested to DeKalb Hospice and Health Home Care or Zion United Methodist Church, 7997 County Road 4-A, Hamilton, Indiana 46742.