Obituary of Frederick Rowe Gibler

Frederick Rowe Gibler, 80, was born January 10, 1934 in Blue Springs, Missouri. His family soon moved to the Higbee area which he called home until he passed away Sunday, December 21,2014. His parents were Clifford Valentine Gibler and Hannah Catherine Snedeker Gibler. Two sisters survive, Catherine “Sis” Jones, Moberly and Mary Ellen Roberts of Shelbina, Missouri. As a young man returning from the service in the United States Navy, he bought a home on some acreage in the Higbee area and joined the Saddle Club. He often said, “Riding horses is one of the smartest things I’ve ever done because it’s where I met my wife.” Fred married one of the Dahlheim girls from Higbee, Yvette Arline Dahlheim, on May 20, 1960. She survives of the home. Also surviving are their four children: William Ernest “Cody” Gibler of Harrisonville, married Michelle Korsi; Jeffrey Val “Kit” Gibler of Archie, married Kim Fisher; Velvet Annette Gibler Branstetter of Higbee, married Doyle Branstetter and April Dawn Gibler Starks of Higbee, married Troy Starks. Fred held a variety of occupations throughout his life, from owning his own landfill and trash service to installing pools, working on the railroad, selling and brokering real estate, operating heavy equipment and managing a 600-acre Youth For Christ ranch in Kansas. The last job he held before retirement was as an electrician at Diversified Plastics in Centralia. After retiring, his hobby became one of his favorite subjects (and how many people know him today) that he continued for over 10 years-Santa at the Columbia Mall. He always took great pride in working hard to provide for his family, but was extremely proud to touch the lives of so many children and adults through the donning of the famous red and white suit. Knowing there’s only one real Santa, are his 22 grandkids, aging from 27 to 10 years of age. Micah, Noah, Sarah and Abigail Gibler (Cody’s children), Skyler, Jordan, Hannah and Regan Gibler (Kit’s children), Alexis, Alyssa, Kara, Kacie, Gabe and Dani Fisher (Kit’s additional kids), Reisa, Cali, Jobea and Zadlyn Branstetter (Velvet’s girls) and Phillip, Caleb, M’Kenzea and Eli Starks (April’s kids). Four great-grandchildren survive: Traecen and Kamden Starks (Phillip and Shauna’s boys)and Lewis and Felix Gibler (Skyler and Hannah’s boys). Preceding him in death, and sitting on her PawPaw’s lap right now, is his only great granddaughter, Jubilee Grace Gibler (Skyler and Hannah’s baby girl). Fred lived a full life, traveling in the Navy and across the United States with his family and dear friends. He was always teaching those he came in contact with and never lacked for confidence in speaking his mind. He loved camping and always chose the scenic route (sometimes to the dismay of his passengers!) to reach his destination. He was an honest, hardworking man who instilled in his children the value of a relationship with Jesus Christ. Hopefully something from his life continues to encourage another to serve the Lord, either for the first time in their life, or to rekindle a relationship that’s a little stagnant. Fred leaves us today with his favorite farewell…..”See ya!….Here……There…..or In the Air!” A memorial service to celebrate Fred’s life will be held Saturday, December 27, 2014 at Pathway Memorial Funeral Home at 12:00 noon. Visitation will be from 10:00 until time of service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions would be appreciated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Pathway Memorial Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.