Gilbert, Samuel Ronald

Samuel Ronald Gilbert, 86, of Olin, died Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009, at St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids. Services for Ron will be 2:30 p.m. Sunday at First Presbyterian Church in Mechanicsville, where friends may call from 1:30 p.m. until service time. The burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery.

Surviving Ron are his wife, Alta Mae; a brother, Carl in Arizona; seven sisters-in-law; five brothers-in-law; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding Ron in death were his parents; three brothers, Elwin, Grant and Lloyd; and two sisters, Doris and Marian.

Ron was born April 21, 1923, in Polo, Ill., the son of Samuel C. and Naomi E. Schell Gilbert. He graduated from Polo High School, from Cornell College, and received a Master of Education degree from Drake University. Ron served as a U.S. Navy guard on fuel tankers during World War II. He married Alta Mae Farrington in 1951 in Mechanicsville. The couple moved to Polo, where they farmed the family farm for seven years, moved to Fontanelle, and to Clear Lake in 1961 where Ron was a popular biology and physiology teacher for the next 25 years. In 2008, the couple moved to Olin. He was a member of American Legion Post 222, Clear Lake. Ron was a lover of nature, especially bird watching and gardening.

Ron will always be remembered for his dedication to education and his sense of humor.

Memorials in Ron's honor may be made to American Legion Busch-Dennis Post 309, 102 N. John St., or City of Mechanicsville Ambulance Department, P.O. Box 339, both of Mechanicsville, IA 52306.