Johnnie Gilbert

Johnnie (Johnny) Dale Gilbert, 75, passed away on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, following a long hospitalization at the Idaho Falls Community Hospital in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Johnnie was born November 11, 1947, in Soper, Oklahoma, to Margaret Harrington. He was soon after adopted by the late Roscoe Omagene and Vida Mae (Sergean) Gilbert of Broken Bow, Oklahoma. He attended elementary and high school in Broken Bow.

In 1965, he enlisted in the United States Navy serving aboard the USS Kawishiwi (AO-146) during the Vietnam era. He returned to the Broken Bow area in 1969 after completing his Naval service enlistment.

On December 6, 1696, Johnnie married Miss Donna Gayle Storey at the Lukfata Baptist Church near Broken Bow, Oklahoma. He and Donna had three children. In 1983, he married Ms. Terri Darlyn Hilton and they raised two children together in and around Broken Bow. In 1983, Johnnie, Terri, and family moved to Idaho where his youngest son was born. Johnny fell in love with Idaho, and though he didn't live there long, he would always remember the area and long to return.

Johnnie had several different occupations. He drove a commercial truck for many years, traveling throughout the United States, and was a small business owner in Broken Bow, and Idabel, Oklahoma. He retired in 1998, and finally returned Idaho, when he moved to Idaho Falls.

In his retirement, Johnnie enjoyed fishing in the river near his home as well as camping in the forested areas around Idaho Falls. Johnnie valued the many friendships he had with his neighbors and often spoke of the adventures he was having.

Johnnie is survived by his daughters, Sicley Sidoran and spouse, William, of Newport, North Carolina, and Dianna (Jannine) Morgan of Mena, Arkansas; and son, Johnnie Dale Gilbert of Foreman, Arkansas; and sons, Douglas Gilbert of Idabel, Oklahoma, and Christopher Gilbert of Foreman, Arkansas, and David Wayne Steele of Mount Herman, Oklahoma. He is survived by five grandchildren: Ryan Earnheart of Newport, North Carolina, Chelsea Roba of Mena, Arkansas, Harley McKee and spouse, Jay, of Mena, Arkansas, Shamon Wilson of Foreman, Arkansas and Trenton Gilbert of Haworth, Oklahoma. Johnnie has three great granddaughters, Novaleigh and Alivia McKee of Mena, Arkansas, and Audrey Earnheart of Newport, North Carolina.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Roscoe and Vida Mae Gilbert, and one granddaughter, Heaven Abernathy-Roba.

Interment will be at the Idaho State Veteran's Cemetery in Blackfoot, Idaho.