Obituary

Hilda Hanes Gibbons, 101, of Avilla died Saturday, March 5, 2011, at 5:45 a.m. in Provena Sacred Heart Home, Avilla.

Hilda was born on September 2nd, 1909 in Helmer (Steuben County) Indiana to Jacob and Alma Cox. She attended grade school in Helmer, later graduating from Kendallville High School in 1927. She was trained as a secretary at the International Business College in Ft. Wayne.

She married Harold Bower Hanes in September 1928 and was married for 59 years until his death in 1987. She was later married for 12 years to Richard Gibbons, who died in 2005. She lived the first 12 years of her married life in Albion, moving to Kendallville in 1941. Until fall of 2007, she resided in her residence on Arcadia Court. At that time she moved to the Provena Sacred Heart Assisted Living Facility where she resided until recently.

Hilda has 6 children: Harold Jr. ("Harry" - now deceased - survived by his widow Cleo of Kendallville), Howard (Ruth) of Glen Rock NJ, Hugh (June) of Huron OH, Hannah (Robert) Johnson of Ft. Wayne, Hal (Sue) of Pekin IL, and Hope Fey of Indianapolis. All 6 children are graduates of Kendallville High School. She has 17 grandchildren and 34 great grand children.

Hilda was the founding Director of Food Services for Kendallville High School, then later, East Noble School District for 13 years.

Both she and her husband Harold were active in Masonic orders. They were a Past Matron and Patron of the Prentiss Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star in Albion. Later, Hilda was appointed District Deputy Grand Matron for the 17th District, then Grand Ruth of the Indiana Grand Chapter of the OES.

She has been a member of Trinity Church United Methodist in Kendallville for at least 70 years. She is also a past member of the Sigma Beta Association Kendallville Chapter.

In September 2009 over 100 friends and relatives gathered at Provena Sacred Heart Home to celebrate her 100th birthday. On that occasion, Past Grand Matron of the Grand Chapter of the OES Diann Stienbarger presented her a 75-year membership pin. She also received congratulatory letters and citations from the Mayor Suzanne Handshoe of Kendallville, the President of the Indiana Senate David Long, Governor Mitch Daniels, and President Barack Obama.

She often expressed her life-long philosophy as, "My deepest values are the 3 F's: Faith, Family and Friends. I have great comfort and trust because of my faith in God, respect and love for my family, and the joy and happiness I've received from my many friends."

The Family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Harold B. Hanes Scholarship Fund at Trinity Church United Methodist, Kendallville or to the Harold B. Hanes, Jr., Scholarship Fund at East Noble High School, Kendallville.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, March 8, 2011, at 11 a.m. in Trinity Church United Methodist, Kendallville with Pastor G. Scott Pattison officiating. Burial will be in Lake View Cemetery, Kendallville.

Calling is Monday, March 7, 2011, from 4 to 7 p.m. in Young Family Funeral Home, Kendallville Chapel, 222 South State Street, Kendallville. An Eastern Star service will be held at 7 p.m.

View a video tribute after Monday or send condolences to the family at www.youngfamilyfuneralhome.com