Esther Marie Gibbs

A time of sharing for family and friends of Esther M. Gibbs, 83 of New Boston, will be held on Friday from 5 to 7 at Speer Funeral Home, Aledo. Memorials may be left to the Esther Gibbs memorial fund. Per her wishes, cremation rites were accorded. Esther died on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at the Aledo Rehab and Healthcare Center. Esther Marie was born on January 10, 1933 in New Boston to Kenneth S. & Eva (Kenney) Tharp. She married Richard Gibbs on June 27, 1951 in New Boston. He preceded her in death on December 14, 2005. Esther was always one to help others, whether it was her husband’s commercial fishing job; at the Chicago Hunt Club; Cooking and gardening for others and lastly helping other residents at Aledo Rehab and Healthcare. She also ran her own rummage shop in New Boston for many years. In her spare time she enjoyed making afghans for others and spending time with her grandchildren. Esther was a member of the New Boston United Methodist Church and the Order of the Eastern Star, New Boston Lodge. Esther is survived by her children: Mel & Dianne Gibbs of Andalusia; Diana & Brian Whitehall of Okeechobee, FL and Brenda Larkins of Orion; grandchildren: Kevin Gibbs, Ryan Gibbs, Michelle Whitehall, Donovan Whitehall, Billy Larkins and Brittany Larkins-Selman; great-grandchildren: Addilyn, Chloe, Maverick, Billy VI, Addison and McKinzy; Siblings: Marvin & Dee Tharp of Taylor Ridge; Irvin & Kay Tharp of Oquawka; Roger & Linda Tharp of Aledo; Frank & Becky Tharp of Seaton; Marna & Gene Stewart of Keithsburg and Doris Whitesell of Rock Island. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; grandson, Robbi Dean Gibbs and siblings: Lyle Tharp, Jim Tharp, Dorothy Harader and Mary Gilmour.