Submitted by: Dan Rich

Gilbert Harwell

Aug. 20, 1920 - Aug. 9, 2006

South Bend Tribune 8/16/2006

Gilbert Harwell, 85, of South Bend, passed away August 9, 2006, in Hospice House of St. Joseph County. Gilbert was born August 20, 1920, to Duffy T. and Alcinia (Hodge) Harwell in Union Hill, Tennessee.

On December 21, 1945, Gilbert married the former Erma Ramsey in Athens, Alabama. Surviving are his wife, Erma of South Bend; a son, John Lee (Kazaan) Harwell of Fredricksburg, VA; a daughter, Jo Ann (Kenneth, deceased) Bickel of Elkhart, Indiana; and a sister, Pauline (Roe, deceased) Ramsey of Elkhart, Indiana. Gilbert was the grandfather of five grandchildren, Amelia Ellen (Mark) Daniel, Makenzie Ann (Patrick) Gaughan and John Keith Stemen, Aaron Ashley Harwell and Glenn Christopher Harwell; as well as “Great-Papa” to three great-grandchildren, Olivia Brianna Gaughan, Simon Patrick Gaughan and Cole Monroe Daniel. Preceding Gilbert in death were his brothers, Burt, Eli, James and Ed Harwell; and sisters, Louise, Flora and Hattie. Gilbert is also survived by his good friend, T. J. Dodge, and by “man's best friend,” Otis.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, August 17, 2006, at the Good Shepherd Mausoleum on the grounds of Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola, Indiana. There will be a private visitation for family only from 1 to 2 p.m. on Thursday. Chapel Hill Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Gilbert was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army following World War II. He was employed by Sibley's Foundry for 33 years. He enjoyed attending the Sibley Foundry Reunions and seeing his former co-workers. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, 111 Sunnybrook Drive, South Bend, Indiana.