Jacqueline "Jackie" Gibbs

Jacqueline “Jackie” Inglesh Gibbs, 80, of Kankakee, passed away Saturday (Jan. 29, 2011) at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee. Jacqueline was born Feb. 1, 1930, in Peoria, the granddaughter of the former governor of Illinois, Len Small, and her parents Gen. Arthur E. Inglesh and Ida May Small Inglesh, longtime residents of Kankakee. Jackie graduated from Kankakee High School in 1947. In 1951, Jackie graduated from the University of Illinois. Jacqueline and Richard B. “Dick” Gibbs were married at Asbury United Methodist Church Oct. 11, 1952. The following four years, Jackie accompanied Richard while he served in the U.S. Navy. Jackie and Dick then returned to Kankakee with their young daughter, Nancy. Aside from Jackie’s roles as a loving wife, homemaker and mother to Nancy, David and Carolyn, she devoted time to the operation of the Gibbsleigh family horse farm and other business interests. A proud mother and grandmother, she took great pleasure in spending time with her children and grandchildren in Kankakee, at Indian Lake, Mich., and in Redington Shores, Fla. A few of her many hobbies were golf, bridge and travel. As an active member of St. Mark United Methodist Church, Jacqueline received much joy from her participation in the Adult Choir. Jackie also dedicated her time and energy to several civic organizations and volunteer programs. She served on the Foundation boards of Riverside Medical Center, the Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra and Kankakee Community College. She was a member of the Hundred Club, of which her husband, Richard, was a founder. She was also a member of the Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra Association, the Kankakee Historical Society, a lifetime member of the University of Illinois Alumnae Association, a charter member of the Riverside Medical Center Auxiliary, the Kankakee Country Club and a former member of the Traveler’s Club. Jacqueline was preceded in death by her husband, Richard. Jacqueline is survived by her daughter, Nancy, and her husband, Robert Fitzpatrick, of Custer Park; daughter, Carolyn, and her husband, Jeffrey Kuehl, of Longmont, Colo.; and son, David, and his wife, Jana Gibbs, of Kankakee. She is also survived by her beloved companion, Wilbert “Bud” Fraser. Jacqueline is survived by grandchildren, Shannon Fitzpatrick, and her fiance, Scott Banjavcic, of Chicago, Colleen Fitzpatrick, of Champaign, Robyn, and her husband, Jeremy Meek, of Oswego, Victoria Lavender, of Dallas, Texas, James Gibbs, of Kankakee, and Broderick and Madeleine Kuehl, of Longmont. Jacqueline is also survived by one great-granddaughter, Annabelle Meek, of Oswego. A visitation for Jacqueline will be held from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home in Bourbonnais. A funeral and celebration of Jacqueline’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Mark United Methodist Church in Kankakee. The Revs. Kathy and Craig Sweet will officiate. Entombment will be in Mound Grove Gardens of Memory, Kankakee. The family requests memorials be made to St. Mark United Methodist Church, Hundred Club of Kankakee County, Hospice of Kankakee Valley or the Shriners Hospital for Children.

Jacqueline "Jackie" Gibbs

February 1, 1930 - January 29, 2011