Frank B. Gilbert

February 20, 1941 - April 23, 2022

T. Sergeant Frank B. Gilbert, age 81, an honorable man, passed away April 23, 2022 at Our Hospice of Central Indiana. Frank (Pop) Gilbert was born on February 20, 1941 in Chrisman, Illinois to the late Francis “Frank” Gilbert and Maxine (Blackburn) Cromwell. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he proudly fought and served his country until his retirement after serving in Vietnam. Frank retired from the military in 1978 and moved to Columbus to be closer to family. Frank professed his faith in Christ and through his sense of humor, forgiving heart, patience, hard work, and desire to help others, he retired from Developmental Service in 2021 at the age of 80. Leading by example what Christ’s work means through us. On July 4, 1986 he married Becky (Merrick) Burton Gilbert and affectionately became known as Pop in Hope, Indiana where they resided and she survives. He spent the next 36 years of his life sharing his love, patience, kind heart and gentle smile with everyone. His passion for boating, bird watching, traveling, art projects, and most of all chocolate covered peanuts, Amish restaurants, and history he shared with his stepsons, Shane (Jenny) Burton, of Columbus, IN, Eric (Julie) Burton of Campbellsville, KY, his grandkids, and family. Frank had 6 children, Bernie Gilbert, Mark Gilbert, Tony Gilbert, Mike Gilbert, Debbie Sexton, and Wyona Hoover, all whom survive. He has 2 brothers, Rick (Peggy) Gilbert of Columbus, IN, and Larry (Edith) Gilbert of Indianapolis, IN. He is preceded in death by his parents, a granddaughter, Megan Gilbert, and daughter-in-law, Wendy Gilbert. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday April 29, 2022 in the Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home. Following the funeral service, he will be laid to rest in Rest Haven Cemetery with military honors provided by the Bartholomew County Veterans Honor Guard. Visitation for family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Thursday and one hour prior to the service on Friday. Memorial donations in memory of Frank may be made to Developmental Services Inc. or Our Hospice of South Central Indiana through the funeral home. You’re invited to view his video tribute, light a virtual candle of remembrance and leave a condolence for the Gilbert family via the funeral home website: www.jewellrittman.com.