John Samuel Mcgibbon

John Samuel McGibbon passed away February 17, 2023, in his home. He was born May 14, 1942, in Marion, Indiana, to Merritt and Marrianna (Beasley) McGibbon. Sam was raised on the McGibbon family farm just north of Swayzee, Indiana, until he was 13 years old, when the family moved to Jonesboro, Indiana. He graduated from Mississinewa High School with the class of 1960. He received an Associate’s Degree in Electronics from Ivy Tech in 1980. He married Rita (Small) McGibbon on July 13, 1968, in Elwood, Indiana. They spent 54 wonderful years together.

An electrician by trade, Sam worked for RCA/Thompson for 38 years before retiring in 2001. He was an avid wood-worker making 20 clocks, many pieces of furniture, remodeling the family home and he designed and built the family barn in 1992.

Sam loved flying remote-controlled airplanes and spent many hours building and flying; he has passed that great love on to his sons, Patrick and Micah.

He was involved in the Grant County Amateur Radio Club and was a “Ham” WW9C, for 45 years.

He was the best Dad any child could ever have. He taught his children to work by his example. He also spent many hours playing with them. Flying kites, fishing, hiking, pulling them on the toboggan sled, cooking breakfast outdoors, and spent many hours Geocaching with the grandchildren – helping each of them feel like they were the most important person in the world.

Sam was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served as Bishop from 2007-2011.

Sam was a great genealogist and started searching his family tree at a very young age. He began finding information about each of his great-grandparents, and aunts and uncles back to the 5th and 6th generations. Even visiting Ireland where his Grandfather McGibbon emigrated from, and then traveling to Scotland in order to learn more about each of the family members and the generations beyond.

Sam is survived by his wife, Rita, and four children and their wonderful spouses, Jenny and Eric Dumpert, West Point, UT, Patrick and Erin McGibbon, Lehi, UT, Mandy and Ken Vehikite, Elwood, and Micah and Beth McGibbon, Fairmount; 15 grandchildren, Jordan and Natasha Dumpert, Emma, Lilli, Naomi, Elias, and Ruth Vehikite, Boston Finn, Connor and Grant McGibbon, Berkeley Finn, Briannon McGibbon, Lincoln Finn, and Calan and Elizabeth McGibbon; brother, Donald McGibbon, Jonesboro; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jon and Gay Bronnenberg, Markleville, Jim and Kathy Small, Frankton, David and Drusilla Small, Springville, UT; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

The family would like to thank Stillwater Hospice for their excellent care; Christina, Nancy, Donna, and Abby, you were wonderful!

Arrangements for Sam have been entrusted to the Fairmount Chapel of Armes-Hunt Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 415 South Main Street, Fairmount, Indiana, where a visitation will be held on Friday, February 24, 2023, from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1465 East Bradford Street, Marion, Indiana, 46952, at 11:00 a.m.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.armeshuntfuneralhome.com.