Francis Gilbert "Gib" Hutchcraft, 76, of Sikeston, Missouri, and formerly of Dahlgren, died at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 30, 1998, at Clearview Nursing Home in Sikeston. He was a retired service engineer with the Potlatch Company.
He was born on April 5, 1922, in Hamilton rounty, a son of Martin Luther and Eliza (Learned) Hutchcraft. On July 19, 1947, he married Naomi J. Kelso in Morganfield, Kentucky. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps, a veteran of World War II with the rank of sergeant and a 32nd Degree Mason. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing.
The funeral was at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 4, 1998, with graveside services at the Richardson Hill Cemetery near Dahlgren with graveside military rites by the McLeansboro American Legion Post #106. Bobby Bowden officiated. Burial was in the Richardson Hill Cemetery in Dahlgren. Gholson Funeral Home of Dahlgren was in charge of the arrangements.
Mr. Hutchcraft is survived by his wife, Naomi J. Hutcheraft; one son, Gilbert Charles Hutchcraft and wife Karen of Benton; two daughters, Mary Jane Bowden and husband Bobby of Springtown, Texas, and Carol Jean Towe and husband David of Sikeston; one brother, Phillip Hutchcraft of Girard, Kansas; 11 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and one sister.