John R. Gilgenbach, 80, passed away Friday, September 14, 2018 at the Andbe Home in Norton, Kansas.

On December 11, 1937, he was born to Peter and Isabelle (Jensen) Gilgenbach, in Waukon, Allamakee County, Iowa. He attended McGregor Schools and graduated from McGregor High School with the class of 1955. He attended two years of college majoring in the Physical Sciences. ohn served in the Air Force as a pilot. He was stationed in Greenland and earned the rank of Airman Second Class Regular Air Force. John was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in New Almelo, Kansas. He married Dolores Hillebrand January 18, 1958. She preceded him in death

John worked for the railroad for 40 years. He worked for the Kyle, Rock Island, and Burlington Northern Railroads. He was a supervisor for the Rock Island Railroad. John retired in 1996. Some of John’s hobbies were woodworking, fishing, and small mechanic work. Gardening was something he also enjoyed.

John is survived by his sons, Larry Gilgenbach and wife Lois of Sierra Vista, Arizona, David Gilgenbach of Norton, Kansas, and John Gilgenbach and wife Susan of Norton, Kansas; daughters, Linda Scheetz of Norton, Kansas, Joan Dickinson and husband Tim of Salina, Kansas, Pamela Davis of Junction City, Kansas, and Beverly Burd and husband Scott of Burdett, Kansas; 18 Grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife Dolores Gilgenbach; parents, Peter and Isabelle Gilgenbach; brothers, Michael and Ronald Gilgenbach; sisters, Dorothy Fitzgerald, Ruth Howard, Viola Meana, Rosemary Schobert, Rita Borden, and Karen Minch; grandsons, John R. Scheetz and Cameron Burd; and great granddaughter, Natalee Gilgenbach.

A Graveside Service is planned for Saturday, September 29, 2018, at 2:00 P.M. in the Clayton Cemetery, Clayton, Kansas. Pastor Gordon Pettibone presiding. Military Honors by Oberlin American Legion Post #70 and Jennings American Legion Post #315. Memorials are suggested to the John R. Gilgenbach Memorial Fund and may be sent in care of Pauls Funeral Home, 121 N. Penn Avenue, Oberlin, Kansas 67749. Online condolences may be left at www.paulsfh.com.

Although your hearts are filled with sorrow, John would tell you, not to hold him in your sorrow, not to shed tears for him because he has found his heavenly home.