Gilbert Deibel

OMENA — Gilbert A. Deibel, 89, of Omena, died at his home on Wednesday, July 20, 2011, surrounded by his caring family. Gil was born on Feb. 18, 1922, in Saginaw, to the late Ezra L. and Alma (Wieck) Deibel. After graduating from Arthur Hill High School in 1939, Gil started his academic career at the University of Michigan. His studies were interrupted when he answered the call of our nation and faithfully served in World War II. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a B24 Bomber Pilot with the 5th Army Air Force in the Western Pacific Theatre and finished his service as a 1st Lieutenant. After returning from the war he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Michigan in 1946 and his Juris Doctorate in 1949. For 41 years he practiced law in the Saginaw area with the law firm of Cook, Nash and Deibel. On April 30, 1949, Gil married the former Annette Anderson in Bay City. Gil was a founding board member of Big Brothers of Saginaw and served on the board of Hospice of Saginaw, the Omena Traverse Yacht Club and Sharecare of Leelanau. He was also a member of the Saginaw Township Board of Education, the Saginaw Club, the Omena Presbyterian Church the Finn and Feather Club, the Omena Breakfast Society, the Rotary Clubs of Saginaw and Suttons Bay and the Cracker Barrel of Northport.His interests included music, tennis, sailing, skiing, hunting and a good debate. He is survived by his wife, Annette; his daughters, Andrea (Michael) Muladore, Laura Deibel and Roxanne (Charles Hodson) Deibel; and grandchildren, Meagan and Erik Muladore, Katherine Fox and Linnea and Evan Hodson. Visitation will be held at the Trinity United Church of Christ in Northport today, July 22, 2011, from 4 to 7 p.m. The memorial service celebrating Gil's life will be held on Saturday, July 23, 2011, at 11 a.m., at the Omena Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Karen Schulte will lead the service. Interment will take place at Hillcrest Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions in Gil's honor may be directed to Sharecare of Leelanau, the Leelanau Conservancy, the Inland Seas Education Association or to Delta College. Please visit www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com to share your thoughts and memories with the family. The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.