Illinois Great Rivers Conference 2025 Journal-Yearbook
Gilbert Thomas Fletcher 1934-2025 The Rev. Dr. Gilbert Thomas Fletcher, 90, an IGRC retired clergy member, died March 25, 2025. Born May 28, 1934, he was the son of Nathan and Zelma (Taylor) Fletcher. He married Rose Mary Hall Dec. 23, 1955. After graduating from Bath High School in 1952, he worked at Peoria
Caterpillar before joining the Navy where he served as a welder. While at boot camp, he was asked to be the Chaplain for his platoon foreshadowing his calling to be a minister. He attended Hannibal-LaGrange College, Quincy University, Illinois State University, and Evangelical Theological Seminary in Naperville. He received his doctorate degree in theol- ogy from Drew University in New Jersey in 1984. Rev. Fletcher was ordained a deacon in the former Central Illinois Conference in 1969 and ordained an elder in 1972. During his ministry, he served the following pastorates: New Canton, Cornell-Blackstone, Mattoon: First (Assoc), Barry-El Dara, Director of Public Rela- tions for Sunset Home; Forsyth, Streator: First and El Paso, from which he retired in 1996. In retirement, he enjoyed being around people so he served as a door greeter at Walmart in Long Creek from 2003 until 2009. Gilbert was an avid outdoorsman and loved to hunt and fish as well as spend time with family and friends. Gilbert remained faithful to his calling and continued saving souls into his later years. Survivors include his wife, Rose Mary; two daughters, Lynne Renea Salter of Decatur and Cheryl Denise (Daniel) Budde of Trion, Ga.; grandchildren, Camisha Lee Salter of Decatur, Nathaniel Jerome (Kimberly) Budde of Carrollton Ga. and Michael Thomas (Andrea) Budde (Andrea) of Dallas Ga. Two grandsons and one great granddaughter preceded him in death.
Mildred “Irene” Garabrant 1926-2024
Mildred “Irene” Garabrant, 98 of Atlanta, formerly of Bloomington, the widow of the Rev. Richard V. Garabrant, died Nov. 23, 2024 in Atlanta. Irene was born March 16, 1926 in Alexis, the daughter of William and Audrey Edwards McIntyre. She married Rev. Richard V. “Dick” Garabrant July 7, 1946, in Sparland. He died Aug. 30, 2015. She was a member of Grace Church in Normal. She attended Mon-
mouth College and later graduated from Illinois State University. She began her career by teaching in a one-room schoolhouse. She and her husband enjoyed traveling to all 50 states and many foreign countries. She enjoyed flower gardening, sewing, quilting, read- ing, square dancing and spending time with her family. Surviving are two daughters, Marcia (Gary) Eckstein of Manteno and Janet (Gil) Turner of Atlanta; 15 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, three great great-grandchildren and a sister, Wilma Theien of Batavia. Her parents, daughter, Linda Biehl; two brothers, Luke and Harry McIntyre; and two great-grandchildren preceded her in death. Funeral services for Mildred “Irene” Garabrant were held Dec. 2, 2024, at Grace Church in Normal with the Rev. Niall Philyaw and Pastor Len Thebarge officiating. Burial was at Mt. Joy Cemetery, rural Atlanta.
Memoirs 251
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