VAN HORNE:  Gilbert "Gib" Schlarbaum, age 88, of Keystone and formerly of Van Horne died Friday, October 13, 2006 at the Keystone Nursing Care Center in Keystone following an extended illness.
     Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 AM, Tuesday, October 17, 2006 at Salem United Methodist Church in Van Horne with Pastor Norm Bennett officiating.  Interment will be held at the Salem Cemetery in Van Horne with Graveside Military Rites conducted by Thomas F. Bevins American Legion Post #148 of Van Horne.  Friends may call at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel in Keystone from 5 to 8 PM on Monday.  A Memorial Fund has been established for Salem United Methodist Church and the Keystone Care Center.
     Gilbert was born December 9, 1917 at Van Horne to Harley and Edith (Smith) Schlarbaum.  He was one of the first Eagle Scouts in the Van Horne Scout Troop and in younger years he played drums and saxophone with a traveling band.
     Following graduation from high school he served his nation in the Army Air Corps during World War II as a Staff Sergeant and was stationed in India for two years.  He was awarded the Bronze Star.
     On June 3, 1941 he married Ferne Hayes at Winthrop and the couple made their home in Van Horne.  Gilbert served as a Rural Mail Carrier for many years and also as the first school bus maintenance man for the Van Horne Community Schools. 
     Gilbert was a member of Salem United Methodist Church in Van Horne and an associate member of Riverview United Methodist Church in Riverview, Florida.  He served as secretary-treasurer of the Van Horne School Board, was the Van Horne Telephone Co. Treasurer for 40 years, was a member of the rural Mail Carriers Assoc., Thomas F. Bevins American Legion Post #148 in Van Horne, and the Van Horne Lions Club.
     He is survived by his wife, Ferne of Keystone, his children, Gary (Ruthanne) Schlarbaum of Villanova, PA and Sandra (Richard) Willows of Andover, MN; his grandchildren, Mark (Janet) Schlarbaum of New Town Square, PA, Melinda (Dennis) Bradley of San Francisco, CA, Susan Willows of Coon Rapids, MN, Julie Willows of Plymouth, MN; and his great-grandchildren, Danielle Manning, Christy Schlarbaum, Michael Schlarbaum, Molly Bradley and Luke Bradley.
     His parents and his sister, Hester Kahler preceded him in death.