ELI ROBERT GILBERT

Eli Robert Gilbert, age 97, of Hueytown, Alabama, passed away May 28, 2026. At the time of his death, he was residing in Kansas City, Missouri. Eli retired after 35 years of service from R. L. Zeigler Company, where he was a Spice Forman and Plant Manager for the previous Bessemer, AL, location. He was a longstanding resident of Hueytown, AL, and co-owner of a previous Hueytown business, Melba’s Interiors, an interior decorating shop, managed by his wife, Melba Gilbert, and daughter, Brenda Hillman. Eli was a man of many talents and, in addition to his career, built 6 homes and one commercial building, in or near the Hueytown Community. Eli was well loved by all who met him, but his prize attribute was the love he had for his family. His children all agree he was worthy of the honor of God’s command to honor thy Father and thy Mother. Eli placed his faith and trust in The Lord Jesus Christ and is forever grateful for God’s Amazing Grace. Eli was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Melba J. Gilbert; children, Steven (Steve) Gilbert, and Brenda Hillman; parents Elie Robert and Essie Glass Gilbert; brothers Clarence, Frank, Robert (Bob), and Marshall (Bill) Gilbert; and sisters Evelyn Farley and Dorthy (Dot) Dickenson. He is survived by his family of: children, Linda Bales and spouse Bart Bales, Rev. Phillip Gilbert and spouse, Ann Gilbert, and Robert (Bob) Gilbert, and son-in-law, John Hillman. Grandchildren include Steven Gilbert and spouse Brittany, Shelley Tomich and spouse Mark, Tyler Hillman and spouse Theresa, Josh Hillman and spouse Melanie, Blake McLendon, Matthew McLendon, and Katelyn Turowski and spouse, Nick. Great grandchildren include Lucy, Evie, and Julie Tumich; Sam Noah, and Jake Gilbert; Dalton and Jacob Hillman; Alex and Gracie Hillman; Cailey and Jaxon McLendon; and Collins Turowski. Eli is also survived by two very special friends, JoAnn Ingram and Sherry Barrington. The visitation will be from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM, Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at Peoples Chapel Funeral Home. The funeral service will be at 2:00 PM, at the Funeral Home, with Rev. Phillip Gilbert officiating followed by a brief time of eulogy. Burial will follow in Highland Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, and in honor of his caregiver and hospice support team, the family requests donations be made to Interim Healthcare: 10977 Granada Lane, Suite 105, Overland Park, KS 66211. Or, his favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: Online Donations - St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital