D. Gabbert

Michael D. Gabbert, 56, of Thatcher, Arizona, formerly of East Moline and Coal Valley, Illinois, died Sunday, August 22, 2010, in Tucson, Arizona.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, September 2, 2010, in First Presbyterian Church, Coal Valley, with The Reverend Tim Snart officiating. Private burial is in Coal Valley Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the family for an educational fund for his grandchildren. Trimble Funeral and Cremation Center, Coal Valley, is assisting Mike?s family with arrangements.

Michael Dean Gabbert was born January 4, 1954, in Moline, Illinois, the son of Harold and Marjorie Ruth Finton Gabbert. He was employed at John Deere Harvester Works, East Moline, for 30 years, and was active in UAW Local 865. He enjoyed NASCAR racing, golf, and bowling.

Mike is survived by his wife, Cathie Gabbert of Thatcher; his mother, Ruth Gabbert of Coal Valley, his daughter, Carla Waibel of Moline; two grandchildren, Michael Brian and Taylor Marie Gabbert, and their mother, Heather Abney, all of Cordova, Illinois; and brothers and sisters-in-law, Ronald and Terry Gabbert of Hawaii, Jim and Karen Gabbert of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Steve Gabbert of Port Byron, Illinois. He was preceded in death by a son, Michael Steven Gabbert in 2006, and his father, Harold.

Mike's family invites friends to sign his guestbook, share a story or light a candle in his memory at www.TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.