Ross Edward “Ed” Gibbons, 82, of Big Lake, Noble County, died at 2:45 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 24, 2015, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne.

He was born July 18, 1933, in Indianapolis, a son of the late Wilbur Hugh and Marie W. (Yount) Gibbons. He was raised by his stepfather: Farrell E. Yount. His formative years were spent in the Warren Township, Indianapolis area. He graduated from Warren Central High School, Indianapolis in 1951 and continued his education at Purdue University.

In 1953, he joined the U.S. Army and served with the 1st Armored Division stateside during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged in 1955.

On Oct. 20, 1951, he was united in marriage to Marilyn Sue Stevens. They made their first home in Indianapolis. In 1960, the couple moved to Fort Wayne and in 1998 to Big Lake.

He began his work career with International Harvester in 1951 in Indianapolis moving to the Fort Wayne Plant in 1960 retiring in 1982. He was the foreman of Department 42. Following his retirement, he started Edmar, Inc. a real estate management business, refurbishing distressed homes. In 2000, he became a building inspector for Noble County retiring in 2014.

Mechanically inclined, he was well known to his family and friends as an exceptional handyman. An avid fisherman, he also enjoyed golf and played with his wife in the couples league at Crooked Lake Golf Course.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years: Marilyn; four daughters: Susan (Scott) Rummage, Fort Wayne; Kathy (Tim) Usina, Fairland; Deena (Keith) Bryan, Sarasota; and Amy Gibbons, Columbia City; a son: Dan (Julia) Gibbons, North Webster; grandchildren: Gabriel Parrish, Fort Wayne; Matthew (Samantha) Usina, Va.; Katie (Chad) Baughman, Columbia City; Douglas (Jen) Usina, New Palestine; Audrey Usina, Indianapolis; Jason (Erin) Bryan, Madison, Wis.; Joshua Bryan, San Diego, Calif.; Josephine Gibbons, Fort Wayne; Jackson Gibbons, North Webster; Ethan Bair, Churubusco; and great-grandchildren: Tayler Bass; Nicholus Bass; Brodie Baughman; Baylee Usina; Logan Usina; and Connor Usina.

He was preceded in death by a grandson: Dan E. Gibbons, II.

A memorial gathering will take place at Smith and Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. The family will receive family and friends from 2+4 and 6-8 p.m Wednesday, Dec. 30.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or Task Force Dagger Foundation.