John D. “Duane” Gilbert, 67, of East Peoria, IL, passed away at 4:40 a.m. on Monday, October 10, 2005 at Methodist Medical Center in Peoria, IL.

  Duane was born on April 3, 1938 in Peoria, son of John M. and Mary Stein Gilbert Parks.  He married Marilyn K. Bellamy on September 20, 1964 in East Peoria.  She survives.

  He is also survived by his son, John B. and his wife Dawn of Phoenix, AZ; daughter, Tamara K. Gilbert and her fiancé Rich of Sparland, IL;  sisters, Susan Zaborac of East Peoria and Janice Cormier of Alameda, CA;  brother, Gene Gilbert of Chicago, IL;  granddaughter, Tera Weber and grandson, David Weber of Phoenix;  and step-father, Russell “Sam” Parks of Peoria.  He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters.

  Duane was a Field Services Engineer for Intelogic Trace, Inc. of Chicago.  He retired in 1990.  He was a U.S. Army Veteran, serving from 1956-1963 and a member of the Air National Guard in 1964.  He attended First Church of God in East Peoria, where he served as an usher and on the board of trustees.  He was a member of the American Legion Post 2910 in Spring Bay.

  As a child, Duane enjoyed baseball, model airplanes, hunting, Gene Autry and serial westerns.  Later in life, he enjoyed doing home improvements, gardening, photography and history.  Duane's favorite song was the “Battle Hymn of the Republic”.  He also enjoyed listening to classical, folk and country music.  Duane collected steins and was a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Indianapolis Colts.  He enjoyed visiting Grandview Drive and Forest Park Nature Center in Peoria and San Antonio, Germany and Colorado outside of Peoria.  Duane's family will miss his strong work ethic, sense of humor and his ability to fix things and solve problems on his own.  His family, church, home and U.S. History were the things most important to him.  Duane was a good husband, father and provider.

  Private family services were held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, October 12, 2005.  Duane's Pastor, Gordon Lofton officiated the services.  Interment was held at Swan Lake Memory Gardens in Peoria.  The United States Army held Military Honors and presented his Veteran's Flag to Marilyn.  Taps was played by the Rev. Judy Doyle.  Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery, 4234 N. Knoxville, Peoria, 61614 or to his church.  

  Arrangements by Clary Funeral Consultants, Inc., 1625 W. Candletree Dr., Peoria, IL, www.claryfunerals.com