He was born the youngest child of Mart and Clara Rockwell on March 13, 1932 in Elbridge Township, MI, and graduated from Hesperia High School. He was drafted into the Army and trained to be a radar technician. Bert was eternally grateful to the military as it led him to his career with General Telephone, where his ambition and determination enabled him to retire as an electrical/design engineer.
Bert married his beloved Deanna Jones in 1956, and together they shared 68 years of marriage until his passing. As a couple they enjoyed camping, traveling, and riding Harley Davidson motorcycles (each riding their own) on vacations with their children as passengers. Bert is fondly remembered as a kind, loving man with many talents. He was known as a man that "could fix anything," excellent at carpentry, and enjoyed oil painting. Bert was also the dad and grampa that couldn't pass up an ice cream cone, making babies laugh, or playing with puppies and/or kittens. He will be dearly missed and has left wonderful memories with everyone that knew him.
Gilbert was preceded in death by his parents Mart and Clara, brothers Hollis and Donald, sisters Velda and Viola, as in-laws Harrison and Georgia Jones.
Surviving Gilbert is his loving wife Deanna; children Alan Thompson, Valoree Hattaway, Dawn (Kirk) Weaver, Steve (Lisa) Rockwell, Linda (Bob) Harrison, and Debra (Dan) Kunish. He is also survived by 18 grandchildren and step-grandchildren, and many, many great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
A visitation for Bert will be held on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 from 4-6 PM at Ever Rest Funeral Home - 1783 E. Keating Ave. Muskegon, MI 49442. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, June 27 at 11 AM, with a visitation from 10 AM until the time of service at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Egelston Cemetery - 5762 Evanston Ave. Muskegon, MI with military honors at the funeral home.
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