Orin W. Gilbert Jr.

Orin Wesley “O.W.” Gilbert, Jr., 98, widower of Mazie Ellen (Garber) Gilbert, passed away on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at his residence.

O.W. was born on November 13, 1924 in Augusta County to the late Orin Wesley, Sr. and Georgia Ruth (Cupp) Gilbert.

He retired from the United States Postal Service in 1980 after thirty-two years of service. He also served honorably as a corporal in the Army Air Corps in WWII where he piloted B-24s.

O.W. loved singing and was a member of the Rockingham Male Chorus and the Everyoung Singers. He served on the Augusta County Board of Supervisors and was a member of the Friends of the Augusta County Library where he was involved in securing the Fishersville branch’s current location. He also enjoyed fishing, woodworking, and telling jokes.

In his retirement, he worked as a Funeral Assistant at Henry Funeral Home for over twenty-five years and volunteered at the Fishersville 7-11, where he was fondly referred to as “Mr. G.”

He was a devoted Christian and an active member of Staunton Church of the Brethren, serving on the church boards of both Barren Ridge and Staunton Church of the Brethren.

He is survived by his sons, David W. and his wife, Sherry of Chatanooga, TN and Alan D. and his wife, Penny of Staunton; his sisters, Pauline Jane (Gilbert) Miller of Harrisonburg and Louise “Tommy” Emma (Gilbert) Grant of Middlebrook; his grandchildren, Brennen Gilbert of Staunton, Christopher Gilbert of Germantown, TN, Myriah Alberson of Olive Branch, MS, his great-grandchildren, Sam Gilbert, Tucker Gilbert, and Saralyn Gilbert.

In addition to his parents and his loving wife, Mazie, of fifty-six years, he is preceded in death by his sisters, Virginia May (Gilbert) Ochletree, Elizabeth Harriette (Gilbert) Crickenberger, and Arlene Frances (Gilbert) Crickenberger and his grandson, Samuel Gilbert.

The family would like to express their appreciation to Carol Rubush of Verona for her continued support and care of O.W. throughout the last years of his life. The family is grateful to Augusta Health Hospice of the Shenandoah for their comfort and care.

In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make memorial contributions to the Hospice of the Shenandoah (Hospice of the Shenandoah. c/o Augusta Health Foundation. P.O. Box 1000, Fishersville, VA 22939), Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital (501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105), or Weekday Religious Education (SCWREA , P.O. Box 634, Woodstock, VA 22664).

The family will receive friends on Monday February 27, 2023 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Henry Funeral Home.

A funeral service will be held at the Staunton Church of the Brethren on Tuesday, February 28, 2023 at 2:00 pm with the Reverend Robert Earl Alley officiating. Interment will be private at Barren Ridge Church of the Brethren in Augusta County.