Master Sergeant, Dennis Marvin Gilbert, age 78, of Joplin, passed away on Friday, November 1, 2019 at Freeman Hospital. Dennis, son of the late Roy and Lena (Dugan) Gilbert, was born on August 10, 1941 in Joplin. He was a lifelong resident of the area, graduating from Joplin High School in 1959 and Joplin Jr. College in 1961. In October of 1963 Dennis entered the United States Air Force retiring as Master Sergeant in 1985. He served in Japan, Germany, Guam, Holland, and Turkey. On October 19, 1968 he was united in marriage to Sharon “Kay” Rosenberry, who survives. While living in Lebanon, IL, after retiring from the Air Force, he attended St. Louis Christian College for two years, before moving back to the Joplin area. He attended and graduated from Ozark Christian College in May of 1991 with a Bachelor’s in Biblical Literature. From 1990 until 1996, he was the Minister at Avilla Church of Christ. He was a devoted follower of Jesus and an active member of Central City Christian Church where he served as a deacon, elder, and was a member of the missions committee. He was also a member of TREA (The Retired Enlisted Association) and of the American Legion Post #13. He loved his family and was always proud of their accomplishments. He enjoyed classic cars, and looking at cars on car lots or as he called it, “kickin’ tires,” gardening and art, but received the most enjoyment by being Papa to his nine grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Sharon “Kay” Gilbert; four daughters, Rene` McCarty, and her husband, Ty, of Joplin, Shelley Welch, and her husband, Joe, of Joplin, Gretchen Gilbert, of Carthage, and Teresa Brown, and her husband, Jeremy, of Joplin; two sisters, Sheila Aiken, of Austin, TX, and Sharyn Hood, of Rogersville; and nine grandchildren, Drew Welch, Alec Welch, Jacy Welch, Rily Welch, Grace McCarty, Jack McCarty, Ethan Brown, Maggie Brown, and Seth Brown.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 8, 2019 at 10:00 am at the Central City Christian Church with burial and full military honors to follow at Osborne Cemetery in Joplin. The family will receive friends on Thursday, November 7th at 5:00 pm at the Mason-Woodard Mortuary in Joplin. Memorial contributions may be made to the Central City Christian Church and may be entrusted to the mortuary.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory, Joplin.