Frederick Earl Gilbrech (1956)

GILBRECH, GIBSON, SMITH

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 12/3/2006 at 08:08:28

Winterset Madisonian - February 29, 1956

EARL GILBRECH DIED THURSDAY

Was Stricken by Fatal Heart Attack While Working at Postoffice

Earl Gilbrech, a resident of Winterset since boyhood and an employee of the Winterset post office for nearly 40 years, died last Thursday morning, Feb. 23, at Memorial hospital in Winterset shortly after having been stricken by a heart attack while at work. He was one of Winterset's most widely-known residents.

Frederick Earl Gilbrech was 67 years of age at his death. He was born in Polk county on July 4, 1888, a son of Fred and Jennie Gilbrech. He came to Winterset at the age of 10 years, and this community had been his home since that time.

He became an employee of the postal service in Winterset on Aug. 1, 1916, serving as a city carrier until his enlistment in the U.S. army, on April 26, 1918, for service in World War I. He served with the 125th division until his discharge on May 21, 1919.

Two days later he was reinstated as a regular carrier at the Winterset postoffice, and would have completed 40 years of service next August.

He was married Sept. 22, 1920, to Blanche Gibson of Winterset, who survives him. He also leaves his step-father, Wes Smith, of Winterset.

He was a member of the Winterset Methodist church, and a charter member of Green-Rogers post, No. 181, of the American Legion.

Funeral services were held Sunday from the Richards Funeral home, conducted by the Rev. W. W. Steinmetz, pastor of the Winterset Methodist church. Burial was made in the Winterset cemetery, with military honors by members of the Winterset American Legion.