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Submitted: 1/13/22 • Approved: 1/18/22 • Last Updated: 1/21/22 • R1412412-G0-S3
US Army Air Corps
World War II
October 24, 1922 - April 12, 2019
*Obituary
The Weekly Vista
Wednesday, April 17, 2019
Donald Kirk Gibbs, 96, of Bella Vista, Ark., died Friday, April 12, 2019, at Circle of Life Hospice in Bentonville.
He was born Oct. 24, 1922, in Oak Park, Ill., to William Jarvis and Maude Koplin Gibbs. He served the U.S. Army Air Corps and in the skies over Europe in World War II, flying as a bombardier in the B-17 Ol' Buddy on 23 combat missions. He was employed by Glidden Coatings. He retired to Bella Vista in 1984, where he was employed by the Bella Vista POA in golf operations on the Berksdale and Kingswood Golf Courses.
He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and two sisters.
Survivors include his wife of 71 years, Shirley Smith Gibbs; son, Donald K. Gibbs Jr. of Greenville, Mich.; two daughters, Judith Gibbs Fill of Manistee, Mich., and Shelley Gibbs Kester of Ada, Mich.; and seven grandchildren.
A memorial service was held at the Bella Vista Community Church Monday, April 15, with Jeff Reed officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Bella Vista Community Church Endowment Trust or the Bella Vista Animal Shelter.
Arrangements were by Bela Vista Funeral Home and Crematory, with inurnment at the Bella Vista Cemetery Columbarium.
Contributed on 1/13/22 by wfields55
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Record #: 1412412