Rev. Lawrence E. Gibson Obituary (1922 - 2014)

Rev. Lawrence E. Gibson, 91, of Pana, died Saturday, December 6, 2014 in St. John's Hospital, Springfield. He was born December 23, 1922 in Ramsey, the son of Jesse Ida Mae Patton Gibson. He graduated from Pana Township High School before serving in the U.S. Army, where he was a sergeant in Germany during the Korean conflict. After returning home from the Army, Rev. Gibson married his long time sweetheart, Maxine Allen. Rev. Eva Hunt married the couple on December 8, 1955. They made their home in Pana, where he had lived his whole life. Rev. Gibson started going to the Full Gospel Church of Pana, now called the First United Pentecostal Church, when he was in his early 20's. Rev. Gibson became the church's secretary, treasurer, and long-time song leader. He worked all his life in heavy and highway construction work, with J.J. Borders Construction Company of Pana. He was a life-long member of the Cement Masons Local. He retired from J.J. Borders at age 65. Shortly after, he took over as caretaker of the "Potter's Field" Cemetery, which is now Twin Pines Cemetery. A lot of hard work and many long hours were put into getting the cemetery where it is today. Rev. Gibson received his Doctor of Divinity in 1992 and his ordination was held in East St. Louis. He was the pastor of the First General Baptist Church of Pana for 35 years. He was a long-time Sunday school teacher and served on the board for the Church Association. Rev. Gibson retired from the church on June 24, 2012. In addition, he had served as Chaplain for the Hawthorne Lodge (Prairie Rose) Nursing Home, Pana V.F.W. Post, Pana Community Hospital, Pana Eagles Lodge, and Moweaqua Nursing Home, where he also taught Bible study every Wednesday. He was also one of the first board members of the Pana Food Pantry, and served as Pana Township Supervisor for 4 years. Rev. Gibson was a life member of the Pana Eagles, Pana V.F.W., Pana Sportsman's Club, and Team Gibson Hunting. He, Maxine, and Billy Joe had also attended the baseball spring training camp in Florida for several years. He was the Grand Marshal of the Pana Labor Day Parade in 2000. He also planted 80 plus different tomato plants each year and made available to grocery stores, nursing homes, and general public, which have been missed. He is survived by children: Larry Gibson, Pana, IL; Don Allen wife Marsha, Pana, IL; Chuck Owens wife Judy, Taylorville, IL; Dixie Fox husband Jerry, Grand Chain, IL; Shirley Ruot, Apache Junction, AZ; Pat Lash husband Sonny, Memphis, MO; and Billy Joe Gibson, Pana, IL. He is also survived by 16 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren, and several step grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife on August 26, 2009; daughter, Beverly Hayes; son, Brian Gibson; grandson, William Ross McMillen; brothers: Joe Gibson Chuck Gibson. Funeral Information Funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 11, 2014 in McCracken-Dean Funeral Home at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Robert Russell officiating. Burial will be in Linwood Cemetery, Pana with graveside military rites by Pana Veterans Honor Guard. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. in the funeral home.