Gilbert Leroy Mershon

Gilbert Leroy Mershon was born to Edward Leroy Mershon and Martha Maude Buffem in Aurora, Colorado on January 5, 1930. He fell asleep in death at his home on November 16, 2023.

Gilbert dedicated his life to Jehovah and was baptized on June 8, 1968. He served as a ministerial servant and was appointed as an elder in March 2006. He especially loved going out in the field ministry to teach people about God’s Kingdom and what it would do for them. He was well liked and loved in any congregation he served, whether he was a publisher, ministerial servant or an elder. Gil became famous for his Mario Andretti driving style in his vehicles and his bright cherry red scooter in service. Gilbert’s favorite scriptures were Romans 8:39 and 2 Peter 3:13.

Gilbert graduated from East High School in Denver, Colorado in 1948. He went on to enlist in the US Navy and served in the Korean war, where he worked as an ice cream maker and tailor on a battleship. Gilbert learned to be a hard worker from his mom and dad, and later went on to work for the railroad. He worked for the Rock Island Line Railroad until it went bankrupt. Afterward, he became a machinist. He felt his greatest work was that of being a servant of Jehovah. Gilbert loved showing his kids and later his grandchildren how to read maps and use mile markers. To this day, one of his granddaughters uses what she learned from Gil when she travels. Having worked for the Railroad for many years, Gil had a keen interest in trains and loved riding the rails. Gilbert was an avid fisherman and especially liked fly fishing in the Rio Chama and the San Juan Rivers. His other interests included road trips, reading his Louis Lamour books and the Bible. Gil always made time to visit with his friends and family. Gilbert lived in Texas, Kansas, Colorado and then found his home in New Mexico.

He was married 67 years and in Gil’s words “it took 3 women to do it.” He married Beth Knowles on January 5th, 1950. He went on to marry his second wife, Wilma Walters, in 1955. Finally, he swept Roberta “Bobbie” Casey off her feet, and they were married on April 22nd, 2000. Anyone who knew Gil remembered his many quaint sayings and these became known as “Gilisms.” Here are just a few: "Let's take off like a herd of turtles." "Just like Saturday night and payday!" "That's a nickels worth of shade." "If I was doing any better, I’d have to clone myself." A fond memory of Bobbeye, Gilbert's daughter was how her dad would make sure he took Bobbeye and her brothers and sisters to ride a passenger train and he would point things out to them and where good fishing spots were.

Gilbert is survived by his children Bobbye Royce Flinchum, Johnny Leroy Mershon, David (Marilyn) Engelbrecht, Carrie (Mike) Thibodeau, Timothy (Tim) (Jacqueline) Casey, Sean Casey, Steve (Shannon) Casey, Mary Casey, Kellie (Brian) Patton. He is also survived by his brother Paul (Jackie) Mershon. He was preceded in death by wives Roberta Sue, Wilma, and Beth. By his Son Danny Mershon, Daughters Deborah Northcutt, and Terri Mershon: Sibling Shirley Nightingale. Gilbert had a trainload of nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a great, great grandchild carrying up the caboose. Gilbert had many friends and will be truly missed until our reunion with him in paradise.

A Memorial talk for Mr. Mershon will take place on December 3^rd 2023 at 6PM MST at The Kingdom hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses located at 1716 20^th Ave SE Rio Rancho, NM 87124