Jimmy Gebert
Jimmy M. Gebert, 92, Columbia City, died at 3:48 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020, at Parkview Whitley Hospital, Columbia City.
He was born Aug. 24, 1928, in Larwill, Indiana, a son of the late Sidney Ray and Blanche Margaret (Miller) Gebert. He grew up in the Larwill area completing Larwill Elementary School and graduating from Larwill High School in 1946.
Marrying the late Betty Kessie on Aug. 3, 1947, they made their home in rural Larwill. They divorced in 1984. Jimmy then married Reverend Marilyn Jane Barton Bales on July 8, 1984. They made their home at the various church assignments throughout northern Indiana, returning to Columbia City after her retirement.
Jimmy began his work career farming and later the excavating business. He then became manager of the Larwill Feed Mill. Later he started his own Agribusiness, JM Gebert and Sons Farm Supply.
Active in local politics, he was elected as a Whitley County Commissioner for a term and was a Whitley County Councilman. He served on many boards, including the Whitley County Tax Board, Drainage Board, Farm Bureau Board, Larwill Feed Board, and the Community Development Board.
He was a former member of the Whitley County REMC Board, Wabash Valley Power Association, and the Indiana Statewide REMC Board. A member of the Cooperative Finance Corporation Board, he represented Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and West Virginia in Washington, D.C.
His service to the community did not overshadow his service to the church. He was on the Administrative Board Larwill United Methodist Church, the District Board of Global Ministries, Calumet District of the United Methodist Church, and the Oakwood Foundation for Adult Ministries. Driving for Retreat-In-Motion, he transported youth and adults to various workcamps throughout the U.S. and Canada.
He was the President of the Cedar Lake Boy’s and Girl’s Club and a legislative representative of the Cedar Lake Chamber of Commerce. He worked with Habitat for Humanity, volunteering his skills building houses in the Muncie and the Fort Wayne Districts.
A past Master of Due Guard Masonic Lodge #278F&AM, he was an over 50-year member.
His travels took him to all 50 States, the providences of Canada and Mexico. He participated in mission trips to Korea, Japan, and China and had visited Israel and Egypt.
He is survived by his wife, Marilyn; children, Rebecca Ousley, Steve (Carla) Gebert, Bradley Gebert, Kathy (Steve) Eberly, all of Columbia City and Sandra Saggars of Ligonier; step-children, Rachel (Carl) Bales-Case of Wawaka and Aaron (Paula) Bales of South Bend; 10 grandchildren, five step-grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.
Additionally, he was preceded in death by a sister, Jeanne Jacob; a grandson, Timothy Eberly; and two sons-in-law, Joe Saggars and Roy Ousley.
A private family visitation will be followed by a graveside service at 2 p.m. Dec. 26, 2020, at the Washington-Union Township Cemetery, St Rd 13 and Old 30, with Rev. Rachel Bales-Case officiating. Arrangements by Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.
Preferred memorials are to the Cromwell United Methodist Church, Habitat for Humanity, or the Whitley County Agriculture Museum.