Margaret’s family found that their mother had written her own obituary. They would like to honor their mother’s wishes and post this obituary that she had prepared for them:
Mary Margaret Gilbert
Mary Margaret Gilbert, 85, passed away on December 8, 2013, at 6:37 a.m. at Parkview North Hospital, Fort Wayne, Indiana. She was born January 12, 1928, near Adrian Michigan to the late Henry and Rebecca (Walker) Waltman. The family lived near Evansport, Ohio until 1945 when they moved to Continental. She graduated from Continental High School in 1946. On June 27, 1959 she married Howard M. Gilbert and later divorced. He died in Ojai, California in 2008.
She worked for Cooper’s Hatchery and Appliances for five years and for many area homes, offices and her church as a house keeper for thirty years, and also Continental Elementary School for ten years as a custodian. She is a member of the New Life Church (formerly Continental Free Methodist Church), Continental.
Survivors include a daughter, Kelly (Perry) Evans, Middle Point, two sons, Gary (Moipone) Gilbert, Defiance, and Joel (Bridget) Gilbert, O’Fallon, Missouri, ten grandchildren: Leigh Ann (Patrick) Shepherd, Marysville, Rebecca Zainea, Van Wert, Stuart (Chelsea) Zainea, Sulphur Springs, Texas, Ian Zainea, Akron, Wesley and Conor Gilbert, Defiance, Maggie, Brandon, Emily and Sarah Gilbert, O’Fallon Missouri, and a step-daughter, Nicole Putteet, Decatur, three great- grandchildren: Sophia and Nora Shepherd and Madilynn Zainea and two step great- grandchildren, AJ Manor and Gabrielle Putteet.
She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant daughter, Jamie Leigh, an infant brother, Russell Dunlap and brother, Arlo Dunlap and sister, Georgia Prowant.
Visitation is Tuesday, December 10, from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and one hour before the service at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 11, 2013, Jill Brecht officiating.
Preferred memorials are to the Continental Fire Department and EMS.