Gerald “Jerry” L. Gibbs

Gerald (Jerry) L. Gibbs, age 90, of Sidney, Ohio, passed away on Sunday, August 10, 2025, with his son at his side, at his home in Sidney, Ohio.  Jerry was born on May 7, 1935, in Sidney, Ohio, to the late Matthew and Marie (Long) Gibbs. 

Jerry is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Christopher(Deborah) Gibbs, of Maplewood; grandchildren Jason (Shelby) Gibbs of Jackson Center, and Tiffany Gibbs of Virginia; two great-grandsons, Aiden and Jamen, who want to be farmers, a special friend who was always there for him, Brenda Lazier of Sidney, and sent from God rescue dog, Polly. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Shirley (Engelhaupt) Gibbs; brothers Richard, Marion, Marvin Gibbs, and sister Helen Schmidt.

Jerry attended Sidney Schools. He served his country in the US Army, and was a member of the St. John's Lutheran Church in Sidney, the Moose Lodge in Sidney, the American Legion in Sidney, and the Masons, Stokes Lodge #305, Pt. Jefferson. His final employer before retirement was Fairlawn School District, where he drove a school bus for 13 years. No job gave him more satisfaction than transporting kids and watching them grow up. Up until his death, former students would seek him out on the street, at a restaurant, at a civic band concert, at church, or any other public place, and let him know how much they appreciated him as “their” driver.

Jerry’s most fulfilling volunteer job was to follow his son Chris’s career as Chris and his family built their farm business. He was always there with coffee in the cool months, and iced tea in the summer months, at just the right time when son Chris needed a break from either the field or uncooperative machinery.

Jerry enjoyed playing golf and cards at the Moose Country Club in his early years. Later, his and his wife Shirley’s interests turned to purchasing motor homes and roaming around the United States. After the motor home phase, Jerry and Shirley spent time on the swing at their ‘River’ cottage in Quincy, but not until they visited Clancy’s restaurant in Sidney to belly up to the ‘Table of Knowledge’ where a dozen local retirees met daily to bestow all things ‘true’ upon each other.

Viewing will be held on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at the Cromes-Edwards Funeral Home in Sidney from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friends are encouraged to call and celebrate Jerry's life at that time. Stokes Lodge Masons will offer a ceremony honoring Jerry’s service at 7:45 p.m. before the end of the viewing.

A private service will be held for the family at his gravesite in Cedar Point Cemetery, Pasco, Ohio.

Memorial contributions are encouraged to be made in his name to the Shelby County Fair Livestock Complex Fund to help build a new multi-livestock & youth development facility to support our future leaders. Donations can be made at: scflivestockcomplex.org.