Gilbert Charles Misplon

Gilbert (Gil) Charles Misplon, 94, of Bellefontaine, Ohio, left us to be with his beloved wife Mary on Wednesday July 3, 2019. Gil lost Mary in late 2014 and has dearly missed her these last four years.  He’s happily reunited with her now. Gil was a devoted husband and supportive father to his children. He loved being a grandfather to his grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Gil and Mary raised four successful and independent children: Richard, James, Julia, and Mark.

Gil was a first-generation American born to Belgian immigrants (Camiel and Zoe Misplon) on October 24, 1924 in Detroit, Michigan.  He was the middle child of five children, his older brothers Jerome and George and his younger sisters Germaine and Lillian. Like all of those born in the 1920s, he was a child of the depression. Times were hard.  He and his brothers and sisters made do with what they had, helped in the garden and took part time jobs to bring in a little cash for the family.

Gil was good in math and science and was accepted at Detroit’s famous Cass Technical High School, what we would now call a STEM school. He followed his brothers into the Air Force during WWII. The Air Force put his math and science skills to good use as a navigator in the Pacific Theater.  He served mostly in the Liberation of the Philippines and in the Occupation of Japan. He was discharged from the service in 1946.

Gil returned to Detroit.  He used the GI bill to study Electrical Engineering at the University of Detroit.  After three years, he decided he needed a break from school and took a variety of jobs, ranging from working in the auto factories to selling vacuum cleaners’ door-to-door. While selling vacuum cleaners, he met the young woman who would become the love of his life, Mary Wollam. Eventually he swept her off her feet and they were married on June 30, 1951 in Detroit.  He often said he knew he had hit the jackpot when he married Mary.

Following his marriage, Gil took a job as a building construction manager in the Toledo area. Dissatisfied with that position, he walked onto the work site of Knowlton Construction Company’s Clay High School project and asked for a job.  They made him an assistant Project Manager on the spot. Knowlton’s must have been pleased with Gil; when a position opened in the main office in Bellefontaine, Ohio, they moved him there.  He held many positions at Knowlton’s, including Estimator, Expediter, and Project Manager, while performing “Other Duties as Assigned”.  He remained with Knowlton’s/Vesta Corporation in Bellefontaine until he retired in 1986.

Gil had many hobbies. In his younger days, he played softball. He bowled in leagues and with the family.  He kept in shape with regular visits to the “Y”. Gil was an avid golfer. He was a regular on the course until two years ago.  He enjoyed Bridge and Euchre and playing Penny Poker and Tripoli with his children and grandchildren.  As an Air Force veteran, Gil loved airshows and aircraft of all kinds. He was a tangential birder, making many trips with his wife Mary who was an avid bird watcher. In addition, Gil was well-known for his abilities as an Aqua-Meta-Physician.

Gil was a devoted Catholic. He was a member of St. Patrick’s Parish in Bellefontaine and a member of the Knights of Columbus. As a WWII veteran, Gil was a member of The VFW and the American Legion. He was a dedicated member of the American Legion Honor Guard for many years. He was also a member of the Elks and the Fraternal Order of Eagles.

In addition to his wife Mary, Gil was preceded in death by his parents, his four siblings.

He is survived by: Son Richard (Kimberly Kradolfer) Misplon, grandsons Samuel (Laykin) Misplon and Benjamin Misplon, great-grandson Colby of Helena, Montana.  Son James (Debbie) Misplon and grandchildren, Angie (Dave) DeGood, Kim (Dave) Graham, and John (Lisa) Abbey and great grandchildren, Courtney (Dan) Wallace, Taylor, Tiffany, Ella, Emma, and Henry and great-great grandchildren, Emily, Bailey, and Corbin, of Ohio. Daughter Julia (Anna Durbin) Misplon and grandson Langston Cotman of Takoma Park, Maryland.  Son Mark (Kristina Runion) Misplon; grandsons Moses Misplon and Josiah Misplon, of Franklin, Wisconsin.

It was Gil’s wish to be cremated.

Visitation will be Saturday, July 20, 2019 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 321 N. Main Street, Bellefontaine.

Father Shawn Landenwitch will officiate a Memorial Mass at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 20, 2019 at St Patrick Catholic Church, 316 E. Patterson Ave. Bellefontaine. The Logan County Veterans Honor Guard will perform military rites immediately following the memorial mass, a mercy meal will take place after in Mackley Hall, next to the church.  A graveside service will take place at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 20th at Calvary Cemetery, Bellefontaine.

The arrangements are in the care of the staff of the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Bellefontaine.

(authored by the family)

K.VH.