Wesley Gilbert

Wesley Morris Gilbert, (95), of Burley, Idaho, passed away on February 10, 2023. 

Wesley, known to family and friends as Bob, was born to Albert and Johanna Szybrowsky Gilbert on February 24, 1927 in Riverton, Utah. He was the 6th child of 14 children. Bob, as he was known in those days, helped his dad on their dairy farm. He attended Jordan High School.  When he was eighteen, he enlisted in the army and was sent to Germany. When he returned to  the United States, he soon met Ina Mabella Calton in Lehi, Utah. They dated until she graduated from high school and then married on November 3, 1950 in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple.  

Wesley and Ina had a large family of twelve children. Wesley had the ability to make each feel special. He took time to train them on becoming good workers, appreciation of nature, loving the Lord, and had time to talk and play games with them. Even though he was a quiet man, as one grandchild said, "When Grandpa speaks, listen, you’ll learn something.” 

Wesley loved to fish and hunt, a legacy he has passed onto his sons. He especially enjoyed hunting and fishing with his father-in-law, James Cox. Wesley also enjoyed good western movies and books. Wesley worked at Geneva Steel Mill in Provo, Utah, as a dairy farmer in Farson, Wyoming, Riverton, Utah, and Malta, Idaho, and while living in Taylorsville, Utah he worked as a Security Guard at Zion’s Bank in Salt Lake City, Utah. Wesley was always known as a hard worker. 

Wesley was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He loved his Savior and served faithfully in the church his entire life as a home teacher, Branch President, Senior Missionary three times, as well as in many other callings. He taught the gospel to his children and was a wonderful example of how to live life well. 

Wesley is survived by eleven children, Janie (Don) Homer, Margie (Rick) Neff, Vickie (Randy) Seders, Wesley Kay (Linda) Gilbert, Susan Gilbert, Pauline (Owen) Vaughan, Lisa (Jerry) Bankhead, Maryann (Ben) Golightly, Barbara Tew, Peter (Audra) Gilbert, Beverly Gilbert (wife of  the late Matt Gilbert), Sam (Liz) Gilbert.  

Wesley has 45 Grandchildren, 91 Great-Grandchildren, and 2 Great-Great-Grandchildren. He is also survived by four sisters; Jean Allen, Eunice McDaniel, Nancy Lee (Harold) Call and Darlene (Richard) Hirschi as well as numerous nieces and nephews. 

Wesley was preceded in death by his wife, Ina, a son, Matthew Gilbert, son-in-law, David Tew  and 3 grandchildren, Jimmy Golightly, Jessica Seders and Holly Homer, 9 brothers and sisters  (Norman,George, Golden, Margaret, Melvin, Elaine, Dean, Donna, Grace).

The funeral services for Wesley Morris Gilbert will be held on Friday, February 24 at 11:00 AM at the Westwood Heights 1st Ward Church Building, 3976 West Dimrall Drive, Taylorsville, Utah  84129. 

A viewing will be held on Thursday, February 23, 2023 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road Taylorsville, Utah. There will be a viewing at Westwood Heights 1st Ward Church building, 3976 West Dimrall Drive, Taylorsville, Utah, prior to the funeral, on Friday, February 24, 2023, from 10:00-10:45 a.m.

Burial will be at Utah Veterans Memorial Park, Camp Williams, 1711 South 1700 West, Bluffdale, Utah.