Rolla Rufus Gilbert, a retired Waltonville farmer, died at 4:10 p.m. Thursday at his home, at the age of 85 years.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday at Antioch Baptist church with the Rev. Gus Smith officiating. Burial will be in Knob Prairie cemetery. The body will lie in state at Fry Funeral Home in Waltonville where friends may call after 4:00 p.m. Saturday. The body will be taken to the church at noon Sunday to lie in state until the funeral hour.

Mr. Gilbert was born in Jefferson county on May 25, 1882, the son of Charlie Rufus and Loretta Parthena (Wells) Gilbert.

On Nov. 1, 1904, he married Bertha Shurtz who preceded him in death in 1961.

Survivors include two sons, Kenneth Gilbert of Waltonville, and James Gilbert of Chester; two daughters, Mrs. Parker Pierce of Bluford, and Mrs. Russel Phillips of Sterling; 15 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, son, and a daughter.

He was a member of Antioch Baptist church and Modern Woodman of America.

Source: The Register-News
Submitted by: Cindy Ford

Rolla Rufus Gilbert

Rolla Rufus Gilbert, a retired farmer, son of Charles Rufus and Loretta Parthena (Wells) Gilbert, was born May 25, 1882, in Elk Prairie Township and departed this life May 23, 1968, at his home in Waltonville at the age of 85 years, 11 months, 28 days.

On November 1, 1904, he was united in marriage to Bertha Shurtz. To this union six children were born, namely; Kenneth of Waltonville, Parthena Pierce of Bluford, Jimmie of Chester, Illinois, and Wilma Phillips of Sterling, Illinois. Two children, Alberta and Ralph, died in infancy.

His companion, Bertha, departed this life April 7, 1961. He was also preceded in death by his parents, a brother Roy Gilbert, step-brother Rufus Green, step-sister Grace Newell.

He leaves to mourn his passing 4 children, 15 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.

Rolla professed faith in Christ at an early age and was a member o the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church.

He was a member of Modern Woodman of America.

Funeral service - by Rev. Gus Smith Songs by: Glenda (Wells) Johnson and her sister Carol Sue Garner assisted on piano: Gertie Noreen Rutherford

Submitted by: Doris (Earls) Lortie