Edward "Eddie" A. Gilbert Jr., of Antigo, died Tuesday, November 10, 2020, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. He was 88 years old. He was born on April 23, 1932, in Two Rivers, a son of Edward and Laura (Bertram) Gilbert Sr. He married Marian Kopetsky on September 5, 1953, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Two Rivers. She preceded him in death on January 26, 2020.

Eddie attended Washington High School in Two Rivers. He served in the United States Navy from June 15, 1949 to April 16, 1953.

He learned the meat marketing trade through the GI Bill. He lived in Two Rivers until moving to Antigo in 1967. Eddie was employed at Lee's Super Value until 1990 and then at Wagner Shell retiring in 1998. He worked part-time at Festival of Foods and Lakeside Pharmacy and Grocery.

He was a member of SS Mary & Hyacinth Catholic Church, the Monsignor Conrad Saile Council 1002 Knights of Columbus, Monsignor Conrad Saile Assembly 1214 Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, and the Sparks-Doernenburg American Legion Post 3, Antigo.

He enjoyed golf.

Survivors include three daughters, Kathy (Glen) Statezny of Antigo, Karen (Steve) Suick of Antigo and Cheryl (Dave) Barwick of Schofield; two sons, Chris (Jenny) Gilbert of Tucson, AZ and Rory (Alice) Gilbert of Cottage Grove, MN; 15 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; a brother, LeRoy Gilbert of Antigo; a brothers-in-law, Allen Kopetsky of Two Rivers and Roger Klabunde of Neenah.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his step-mother, Hildegarde Gilbert; a brother, Gerald Gilbert; a sister, Carol Klabunde; sister-in-law, Janis Gilbert; brothers-in-law, Marvin (Genal) Kopetsky, Arnold (Marty) Kopetsky and John Kopetsky; sister-in-law, LuAnn Kopetsky.

A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2020, at 12 p.m. at SS Mary & Hyacinth Catholic Church. Entombment will take place in Queen of Peace Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Bradley Funeral Home. A parish wake service will be held at 5 p.m. and the Knights of Columbus will recite the rosary at 6 p.m. both on Friday at the funeral home.

Memorials in Eddie's name may be directed to Little Sisters of the Poor, 330 Exchange Street, St. Paul, MN 55102.

Services