History & Staff
We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.
Our History
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.
Our Valued Staff
Bradley R. Gilbert, Owner
Bradley R. Gilbert, Owner/President/Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer
Brad is a 1990 graduate of Crittenden County High School, a 1994 graduate of Georgetown College with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and a minor in Communications, and a 1995 graduate of Mid-America School of Mortuary Science. Brad is a 4th generation Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer. He is married to Valerie Smith Gilbert and they have two children, Travis and Paige. Travis is currently attending Capital University in Columbus, Ohio and Paige is a student at Crittenden County High School. Brad is an active member of Mexico Baptist Church, where he serves as Finance Committee Chairman and on the Youth Council. Brad has held the office of Crittenden County Coroner since 2009. He is also a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in Illinois, member of Cave-In-Rock, Illinois Masonic Lodge #444 and Marion, Kentucky Masonic Lodge #256, a Notary Public, and a Licensed Pre-Need Insurance Agent. Brad is a member of the Quad County Funeral Director's Association, Fohs Hall Community Arts Foundation and a board member of the Crittenden County Chamber of Commerce. Brad has been active in coaching youth sports and enjoys golf and spending time with his family.
Keith Gilbert, Owner
Keith Gilbert Owner/Secretary/Licensed Funeral Director
Keith is a 1988 graduate of Crittenden County High School and attended Paducah Community College and Colorado University. Keith is married to Angie Wallace Gilbert and they have a son, Wade Gilbert. Wade is a student at Crittenden County High School. Keith operated Bluegrass Vault Company in Calhoun, Kentucky until its closure. In 2003, Keith joined the staff of Gilbert Funeral Home Inc. as a gravedigger until he became a Licensed Funeral Director. He serves as the Deputy Coroner of Crittenden County. Keith is a Notary Public and enjoys working on his 1968 Chevelle, hunting, golf and spending time with his family.
Don Perry, Funeral Director
Don Perry, Licensed Funeral Director
Don is a 1969 graduate of Crittenden County High School. He has three children, Donald Earl, Athena and Dustin. He is retired from the Marion City Police Department after thirty years of service. Don is currently employed as a Deputy Sheriff by the Crittenden County Sheriff's Department. Don began working at Hunt Funeral Home and Ambulance Service in 1970 and continued his employment with Terry and Sandra Gilbert when they purchased the funeral home in 1976 and became a Licensed Funeral Director. Don enjoys spending time with his family, hunting and is an avid gun collector.
Valerie Anne Gilbert, Treasurer
Valerie Smith Gilbert is a 1990 graduate of Crittenden County High School and a 1993 graduate of Madisonville Community College with an Associate's Degree in Applied Science. She is married to Brad Gilbert and they have two children, Travis and Paige. Travis is currently attending Capital University in Columbus, Ohio and Paige is a student at Crittenden County High School. Valerie is an active member of Mexico Baptist Church, where she serves on the Activities Committee, Wellness Committee and Youth Council. Valerie worked as a Registered Nurse for 22 years and 19 of those years she was employed at Livingston Hospital and Healthcare Services, Inc. where she now serves on the Board of Directors of the newly formed Livingston Hospital Foundation as Secretary/Treasurer. Valerie is a member of the Crittenden County Chamber of Commerce and is the Treasurer of the Crittenden County Volleyball Boosters. Valerie joined the staff of Gilbert Funeral Home in 2014 as Treasurer but maintains her license as a Registered Nurse. Valerie enjoys the beach, reading, gardening and spending time with her family.
Barry Gilbert, Director Assistant
Diana Millikan, Director Assistance
Timothy Brueggemann, Director Assistant/Student
Tim Brueggemann is a 2014 graduate of Pinckneyville Community High School and is currently working on his Bachelor’s Degree in Mortuary Science and Funeral Services at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He joined the staff of Hardin County Funeral Service in 2016 and resides in Cave In Rock, Illinois. Tim enjoys spending time with his family and spoiling his standard poodles Lady and Duke.
