Henry "Tom" Edward Gibat

Henry “Tom” Edward Gibat Jr., 74, of Veedersburg, IN left this life to meet his Lord and Savior at 1:00am on Saturday, December 18th, 2021 peacefully at his home surrounded by loved ones. Henry was born on September 2, 1947 in Morehead City, NC to Henry Edward Sr. and Lillian Arnold (Midgette) Gibat. On May 27th, 1995 he married his soulmate Janet (Edwards) Gibat, she survives and will miss him dearly. Henry is also survived by his daughter, Amanda (Brad) Vickery of South Carolina; his beloved grandson, Fox Vickery; his siblings, Rick (Bonnie) Gibat, Paul (Jennifer) Gibat, Arnold Gibat, and Greta (Durwood) Vinston; as well as many nieces and nephews. Henry is preceded in death by his parents and brother Terry Gibat.

Henry was a proud veteran of the US Army and felt it was a wonderful honor to have served his country. He served as an Army Recon Specialist, Combat Veteran with 3 tours of Vietnam.  He belonged to The Big Red One where he received a Vietnam Service medal, Vietnam Campaign medal, Combat Infantryman badge and the National Defense Service medal.  Henry was awarded a Purple Heart which lead to his honorable discharge from the US Army.  Through his many years of care by the VA hospital, he made many great friends, including a very dear friend, Jeff Stroud. 

He worked at McLane Midwest for 18 years in maintenance until his retirement. He enjoyed much of his retirement riding his bike and taking trips with his wife. He always looked forward to his motorcycle trips with his wife to Tennessee where they would ride the Tail of the Dragon. He enjoyed golfing at Wolf Creek Golf Club in a league with wonderful friends. He loved taking adventures with his grandson Fox. They loved going to the boardwalk on Lake Vermilion and many other places (Pap and Fox time was very precious.) Henry was also an avid woodworker and loved making many treasured pieces for family & friends over the years. He and his wife loved spending time with their friends and family at Better Days Bar in Tilton, IL where they made memories that will last forever for all who knew him. Family and friends were very important to Henry. Henry was a wonderful and loving husband, father, grandfather and friend who was loved by many and will be deeply missed by all.

A memorial service will be held in the celebration of Henry's life on Tuesday, December 28th, 2021 from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm (Illinois Time) at Bella Marie’s Banquet Center located at 1520 N State St. in Westville, IL 61883. A burial service will be at a later date where he will be laid to rest in Danville National Cemetery, Danville, IL. Memorial donations may be given in his name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

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