Rev. Orland James Gibbons
Rev. Orland James Gibbons, 88, of Anderson, Indiana and Plant City, died Dec. 10, 2015, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa.
He was born on Dec. 9, 1927, in Waterman, Illinois, to Ralph and Helena (Burdick) Gibbons. He served four years in the United States Navy during World War II. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Aurora College in 1952 and graduated from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1955. He was an American Baptist pastor for 40 years, with 20 years at Mounds Baptist Church in Anderson. He also served other churches in Brookston, Camden and Marion, Indiana. Upon retirement, he worked for 12 years as a chaplain at St. John’s Hospital.
He was a member of First Baptist Church in Anderson, past president and member of Anderson Noon Optimist Club, Madison County Mineral Association and Eastside Community Club, member of Octagon Masonic Lodge, board member of Concerned Citizens for Community Values, camp director at Tippecanoe Baptist Camp and chairman of new church development for Harmony Baptist Association.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Louella (Beasy) Gibbons, of Anderson; children, Steve Gibbons, of Riverview, Tim Gibbons (Debbie), of Lexington, Kentucky, and Pat Luetkemeier (Maurie), of Alma, Michigan; grandchildren, Rachel, Pete and Daniel Gibbons, Max and Will Luetkemeier and Ryan Marino; and siblings, Velma Caudle (Fred), Ron Gibbons (Phyllis) and Elenor Schreiber, of Illinois.
He is preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Lawrence Gibbons.
A service was held Dec. 19 at First Baptist Church in Anderson. Dr. Art Jaggard officiated. Burial was held at Anderson Memorial Park Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements were made through Wells Memorial and Event Center in Plant City and Rozelle-Johnson Funeral Home in Anderson, Indiana.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Christian Center, 625 Main St., Anderson, 46016 or to Youth Serving Christ Ministries, P.O. Box 123, Anderson, 46015.
Online condolences may be made at WellsMemorial.com.
