Wanda M. (Allen) Gibson, 94, of Springfield, died at 12:33 pm, Tuesday, June 13, 2017 at Alton Memorial Hospital. She was born February 21, 1923 in Bluffs, Illinois, to John and Viola Lankford Allen. She moved to Jacksonville as a very young child. Wanda had one brother, Harry E. Allen and he preceded her in death.
The family moved to Springfield, in 1942 and Wanda worked in the office at Allis Chalmers Manufacturing Company as a secretary.
She married F. Leroy Gibson in 1947 and he preceded her in death on April 17, 2015. She had one daughter, Susan Ann Gibson in 1954 and she survives. Susan married Phillip Keasler and they have two daughters, Emily (Mark) Zipprich and Kimberly (Drew) Scarbrough and they also survive, along with two great granddaughters, Teagan Zipprich and Cora Scarbrough; one sister-in-law, Lucille Martinek of Springfield; one nephew, Charles (Lynn) Allen of Springfield; one great nephew, Dr. Daryl (Wendy) Allen of Springfield and one great-great nephew, Wyatt Allen of Springfield.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband and brother.
Wanda was a member of First Christian Church in Springfield. She served as Chairman of the Christian Women’s Fellowship for many years. She was a Girl Scout Leader for six years; Assistant Librarian for Hay Edwards School for two years; bowled in several leagues, the last one was for the Senior Citizens League.
Wanda had an unconditional love for her family and church. She enjoyed community service and traveling with family and friends. She led a very active and wonderful life.
Following Leroy’s death, after sixty-seven years of marriage, Wanda moved to East Alton to be near her daughter.
Visitation: 9-11 am, Monday, June 19, 2017 at First Christian Church in Springfield.
Funeral Service: 11 am, Monday, June 19, 2017 at First Christian Church in Springfield, with Pastor Rick Irwin officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery, next to her husband, Leroy.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church or the Shriner’s Hospital.
Date: Monday, June 19, 2017
Time: 09:00 am - 11:00 am
First Christian Church
Date: Monday, June 19, 2017
Time: 11:00 am
First Christian Church
Date: Monday, June 19, 2017
Oak Ridge Cemetery
Memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church or the Shriner’s Hospital
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Springfield
1109 South Fifth Street
Springfield, IL 62703
Sherman
2626 East Andrew Road
Sherman, IL 62684
Coleen Lankford Jones posted on 12/22/17
To Wanda's family, I haven't seen Wanda since I was a child but about 10 years ago I contacted her several times on our family tree. (she is my dad's cousin). We exchanged Christmas cards and phone calls over the years. I know my Dad (Jesse Lankford) had good memories of her and she was a sweet, gracious lady.