Mike Gilbreth

Mike graduated from Southside High School in 1982 where he excelled in track, football and baseball. Though he was an athlete all around, baseball was his passion. He played both pitcher and right field for the American Legion teams, which he later went on to coach. He attended Westark College and worked for The Paper Clip. Mike (a Southside Rebel) married his high school sweetheart, Sissy (a Northside Grizzly), in 1986 at Immaculate Conception Church. For the majority of his life, he had a career in logistics working for USA Truck, Dixie Cup and Georgia Pacific. He later worked alongside his mother-in-law at Burn’s Carousel of Flowers, and continued her legacy there for several years.

Mike was the ultimate girl dad. His daughter’s were his entire world. He mastered finger nail painting, pony tails, and even putting their hair in sponge rollers for picture day one year when Sissy was out of town on a business trip. He coached every t-ball team (and he swore his girl’s could run faster than all the boys), softball team, never missed a tennis match or basketball game, dance rehearsal, recital, cheer competition, or track meet. He was at every single football and basketball game when Chelsey decided to attend and cheer for Northside, and by the time Alyx decided to carry on the family tradition, he was a totally converted Grizzly Bear. He was a big Arkansas Razorback fan. He hosted the ultimate tailgates, and lived for gamedays on The Hill with his girls. He was a proud Kappa Dad. He loved spending his weekends at Lake Ouachita. He was a great cook and grill master. He loved family trips to the beach and to the mountains. He took many family camping trips where he loved to hike, make s’mores and pop Jiffy Pop popcorn over the campfire. If Mike loved anything more than being a dad, it was being G-Pop to his grandkids. During his time spent with them, he could often be found reading them stories and going on bear hunts. Although he was an only child, Mike met his sisters-in-law when he was a teenager, and they were his family. His nieces and nephews meant so much to him, and it was rare that he missed one of their events. He also loved his dogs, and could often be found taking them to the park or on a boat ride.

Mike was one of a kind and will be forever missed by many.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his mother-in-law, Diana Hume; and his dogs, Lilly and Ivy Grace.

He is survived by two daughters, Chelsey (Colton) Churchill and Alyxandra Gilbreth; three grandchildren, Vivien, Layla, and Quinn Churchill; his wife of 31 years, Sissy Haaser Drake; his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Libby (Robert) Eoff, Georgia (Steve) Cannon, Kathy Palmer, Ryan Fitts, and Josh Palmer; nine nieces and nephews, Emily (Matt) Reith, Austin and Madeline Eoff, Adam, Jacob and Natalie Fitts, and Bailey, Riley and Olivia Palmer; three great nieces and nephews, River and Maeve Reith, and Banks Eoff; his dog, Daisy; and his granddog, Winston.

Visitation will be Wednesday, September 27, 2023, from 5 – 7 PM at Edwards Funeral Home.

Memorial Service will be 10 AM Thursday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Services and cremation are entrusted to Edwards Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be sent to: www.edwardsfuneralhome.com