Gilbert funeral home was established in 1904 by S.R. Gilbert. He opened the funeral home in an old store front building in down town Christopher, Illinois. In the following years Mr. Gilbert and his wife began their family. They had two children; a son, Joe Gilbert and a daughter, Ann Gilbert. After graduating high school in Christopher, Joe followed into his father’s footsteps by furthering his education at Carpenter Mortuary Science School in St Louis, Missouri. He married Helen Cook and took over the family funeral home. Joe and Helen had three sons; Mike, Terry and Randy and one daughter, Jeanenne. All three boys received their degrees at the Kentucky School of Mortuary Science. After the sons graduated mortuary school, they all joined the family business, Gilbert Funeral Home.

Mike and Randy Gilbert continued to run Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher and also purchased Brayfield Funeral Home in Sesser, Illinois. Randy’s son, Rodney runs the Brayfield Funeral Home location. Mike Gilbert retired from the business in 2006, although both funeral homes are still in operation.

Terry Gilbert left the Gilbert Funeral Home in 1976, but not the funeral business. In November that year, he purchased Hunt Funeral Home in Marion, Kentucky from Wilbur and Louise Hunt. The Hunt Funeral Home located at 202 N. Walker Street was originally purchased as a home. Wilbur and Louise completely renovated the two-story building, making their living quarters on the second floor while the lower level served as the funeral home.

Wilbur employed Clinton York and Don Perry, who took care of the ambulance service as well as helping with the funerals. When Terry Gilbert purchased the establishment, he moved his wife Sandra and four sons; Keith, Brad, Kevin and Britt to Marion. They resided above the funeral home until their home was complete in 1979. Terry kept Clinton York and Don Perry on to assist him with the funeral home.

In 1981, Terry also purchased Tucker Funeral Home from Thomas and Ethel Tucker. Tucker Funeral Home was started in the 1800’s by Mr. R. B. Dorr. He had a furniture-cabinet making shop upstairs on the corner of what is now known as Bellville and Maple Streets in Marion. The shop made coffins which were displayed along with the furniture offered. Mr. W. D. Tucker went into partnership with Mr. Dorr and later bought the funeral home and business. Mr. Tucker’s brother-in-law, John Nunn assisted him and later Creed Taylor joined the firm.

In 1924 Hobart Franklin and his family moved to Marion from Sturgis. Mr. Franklin joined the business and expanded it over to the next building which was owned by Hobart’s father. The Tucker and Franklin Funeral Home existed until their deaths in 1947 and 1948.

Meanwhile, once World War II was over, Thomas Tucker and his wife Ethel returned to Marion. They wanted to assist with the business. The Tucker’s purchased the Franklin firm in 1951 and Tucker’s Furniture and Funeral Home was established.

In 1974, after running the business for several years, Thomas Tucker sold the furniture inventory to the Johnson family. It is still operating as Johnson’s Furniture Store. He then remolded the old store into a modern funeral chapel. In 1981, after all the years of service, Thomas was ready for retirement and this is when Terry Gilbert became owner.

After purchasing the Tucker Funeral Home, Terry combined both Hunt and Tucker funeral homes into one location in the Tucker Funeral Chapel. Terry’s boys then started to graduate from Crittenden County High School in Marion. Kentucky.

Keith graduated in 1988 and went on to attend Paducah Technical School in Paducah Kentucky. He also received a degree in Criminal Justice at Colorado University. Keith moved back to Kentucky and became a Licensed Funeral Director, joining the family business.

Brad graduated in 1990 and attended Georgetown College. He received his degree in Business Administration in 1994. Brad also graduated Mid America School of Mortuary Science in 1995. He then received his funeral directors and embalmers license. He works in the family business.

Kevin graduated in 1992. He attended Mid America School of Mortuary Science and graduated in 1994. He then went to work at the funeral home until 2005 when purchasing the Franklin location from his father. He now owns and operates Booker Gilbert Funeral Home as well as a monument company in Franklin Kentucky.

Britt graduated from Crittenden County High School in 1993. He went on to graduate Mid America School of Mortuary Science in 1995. Britt also received his embalmers and funeral directors license. He then went to work at the Marion location until leaving in 2007 to pursue a new profession.

In 1986 Terry purchased Rose Funeral Home from the Porter Rose Estate. Porter started the funeral home in the 1940’s in a home in Cave-In-Rock, Illinois. He operated the funeral home until his passing in 1985.

After purchasing the Cave-In-Rock location, Terry went on to purchase yet another funeral home. The Booker Funeral Home located in Franklin, Kentucky. Booker Funeral Home was established by Harry Booker who ran the business for several years. Booker Funeral Home exchanged hands until Terry purchased the firm in 1986. Terry remodeled the funeral Home and his son Kevin moved to Franklin, Kentucky to operate it until 2005 when Kevin then purchased the funeral home. It still operates as Booker Gilbert Funeral Home.

Keith was born November 25, 1969 in DuQuoin, Illinois. He moved to Marion, Kentucky in 1976. Keith graduated Crittenden County High School in 1988 and continued his education at Paducah Community College where he attended 2 years in auto mechanics. Keith married his high school sweetheart, Angie Wallace In July of 1990. After a short honeymoon, they moved to Denver, Colorado. Keith went to work for a steel company and attended Colorado University for 2 years. He received a degree in Criminal Justice. Keith and Angie continued to live in Denver, Colorado for 5 more years. From there they relocated to Calhoun, Kentucky and managed the family owned vault company for 5 years. In that time Keith and Angie had their first and only son, Wade Gilbert. He was born March 7, 2000. In 2003, they sold the vault company and went to work for the two funeral homes In Marion, Kentucky and in Cave-In-Rock, Illinois. Keith received his Funeral Directors License. He also handles all of the grave digging for both locations. In his spare time, Keith enjoys hunting and fishing with his son, Wade and the company of his long time friend, Dave Verhagen. He also enjoys watching his son play baseball and football.  Another special time for Keith is enjoying the NASCAR races with his father, Terry and helping his mother, Sandra in her never ending quest of landscaping her yard.

Brad was born February 25, 1972 in DuQuoin, Illinois. He moved to Marion, Kentucky with his family in 1976 when his parents, Terry and Sandra Gilbert purchased Hunt Funeral Home. Brad is a 1990 graduate of Crittenden County High School. He attended Georgetown College and received his Bachelors Degree in Business Administration in 1994. Brad also attended Mid American School of Mortuary Science in Louisville, Kentucky in 1995. He married Valerie Smith in 1993 and they have two children together; Travis Gilbert born September of 1995 and Paige Gilbert born November of 2000. Brad has been employed at Gilbert Funeral Home since graduating mortuary school. He has serviced families in the areas of Marion, Kentucky and Cave-In-Rock, Illinois. Brad is currently a 12 year member of the Illinois Fraternal Order of Free Masons , a Notary Public in both Kentucky and Illinois and a Licensed Pre-Need Insurance Agent. In his spare time he coaches youth basketball , baseball and football. He also enjoys watching both his son and daughter’s games.

Don was born June 24, 1951 in Marion, Kentucky. He was a 1969 graduate of Crittenden County High School. Don went to work with Hunt Funeral Home in 1970 and is still employed with the Gilbert Funeral Home. He is a Licensed Kentucky Funeral Director as well as a retired Marion Police Officer of 30 years. Don is still an active Officer for the Crittenden County Sheriff’s Department. He has three children; Athena, Abshire, Donald Earl Perry, and Dustin Cole Perry. In his spare time, Don enjoys spending time with his children, camping and any outdoor adventures. He is also an avid gun collector and participates in all shooting sports .

Terry was born June 11, 1946 in DuQuion, Illinois. He graduated Christopher High School in 1964 and after high school,  attended Southern Illinois University. Terry went on to graduate from the Kentucky School of Mortuary Science in 1967. After graduation, he went to work at his father’s funeral Home in Christopher, Illinois. Terry then received his Funeral Directors License. In 1968, Terry married Sandra Shaffer and purchased Hunt Funeral Home from Wilbur And Louise Hunt. In the following years they also purchased Tucker Funeral Home from Thomas and Ethel Tucker. After purchasing Tucker Funeral Home, they demolished what was once Hunt Funeral Home and combined the two. The funeral home is presently located on the Court House Square . In 1986, Terry and Sandra purchased Rose Gilbert Funeral Home in Cave-In-Rock, Illinois. In his spare time, Terry enjoy spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren. He also enjoys playing golf, traveling, going to NASCAR races and football games . Terry is a member of the Masons, Rotary International, Ducks Unlimited and also a Notary Public.

Sandra was born September 12, 1946 in Mulkeytown, Illinois. She graduated Christopher High School in 1964. Sandra furthered her education at Lockyears Business College in Evansville Indiana. She received her degree in 1966. After graduation, Sandra was employed at the Bank Of Christopher as a teller until she married Terry Gilbert in 1968. Together they moved to Marion, Kentucky and purchased Hunts Funeral Home in 1976. She then went to work at the Peoples Bank Of Marion as a teller. In 1981, Terry and Sandra purchased Tucker Funeral Home and combined both Hunt Funeral Home and Tucker Funeral Homes . She left the Peoples Bank and received her Funeral Directors License. Sandra currently takes care of the book keeping for the business. She enjoy spending time with her husband, children and grandchildren. Sandra also spends some of her leisure time bowling, gardening and traveling. She is a member of Beta Sigma Phi-Marion and the United Methodist Church River Rats Bowling League.