Norman Lee Gibbs

Norman Lee Gibbs, age 88, of Anna died Tuesday, November 26, 2024 in Weslaco, TX. He was born November 1, 1936 in Jonesboro, the son of Elijah Arthur and Lorena (Hutchinson) Gibbs. He married Jacquelyn Sue Lewis on June 14, 1958. To this union they had three children, Fred, Larry, and Leslie. Jacquelyn preceded him in death on December 10, 1983. Norman married Catherine Cerny on December 2, 1988, together they shared thirty- five wonderful years. 

Norman is survived by his loving wife, Catherine Gibbs of Anna; sons, Fred (Felicia) Gibbs of St. Charles, MO, Larry (Sarah) Gibbs of Jonesboro; daughter, Leslie (Mike) Young of Chester; nine grandchildren, Luke (Amber) Gibbs, Benjamin (Melissa) Gibbs, Nickie (Bill) Hay, Stephanie (Trent) Tollison, Larry Gibbs Jr (Lexi Taylor), Jacob (Amy) Guetersloh, Elizabeth (Nathan) Hagene, Rachel (Cory) Coppersmith, and Travis Sims; twelve great-grandchildren, Wyatt, Harrison, Alba and Ava Gibbs, Madalyn Moss, Bentley Tollison, Abby Pike, Natalie and Libby Guetersloh, Beckett and Sutton Hagene, and Sophie Coppersmith; siblings Sue (Steve) Eudy, Lois Crites, Joyce (Gary) Koch and Venita (Robert) Lingle; brother in law, David Johnson; very special friend, Catalina (Kendall) Wright and their children; his faithful buddy, Zoomer; numerous nieces, newphews; many other relatives and close friends. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Jacquelyn Gibbs; granddaughter, Rebecca Young; siblings, Patricia Johnson, Delores (Sonny) Yates, David (Melinda) Gibbs; brothers in law, Jim Crites, Lawrence, Norbert and Richard Cerny; sister in law, Dorothy Zinn; father and mother in law, John (Elizabeth) Cerny. 

Norman attended Lyerla Grade School, Wolf Lake School and was one of the first graduates of Shawnee High School. He retired from Southern Illinois University where he worked for thirty five years. 

Norman held numerous memberships over his life-time, he was proud and was very involved in each one. He was a member and past president and secretary of the Cobden Lions Club, the Anna- Jonesboro Elks Lodge #1641, where he served as Exalted Ruler for two years, the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 160 in Murphysboro for sixty-seven years. He was a life member of Ducks Unlimited and the Illinois Federation of Outdoor Resources where he was also a board member. He served as president of Southern Illinois Quotazone Waterfowl Association. Norman was instrumental and responsible for the introduction of the resident Canadian goose flock in Southern Illinois. In the 1960's Norman was an auxiliary Deputy Sheriff in Union County when marijuana was being grown in Southern Illinois. He and his buddy, Paul Askew, as well as other friends started Fuzzy's Fine Swine BBQue team and competed in many competitions throughout many states. 

Norman enjoyed restoring old cars, racing go karts and coaching little league when his son Fred played in his youth. His love for the outdoors led him to take numerous elk hunting trips to Colorado and bear hunting with his friend, Bill Flamm, and waterfowl hunting trips to Canada with his son Fred. He enjoyed feeding the birds and deer in the yard on their hill. Time spent with Catherine traveling was very dear to his heart. They went to Alaska seven times, five of which he drove, always enjoying all the wildlife they would see. Their travels took them coast to coast and to the Canadian Provinces, and toured Switzerland and the Black Forest in Germany. 

Norman dearly loved his family and was always excited when there was a new addition. As one of five generations of first-born sons, family was important to him. He had a kind heart, always willing to help anyone in need, never met a stranger and truly lived his life following his motto of "always treat people they way you want to be treated."