GIBSON, Gladys (Jan) P.

The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, Arizona Wednesday, October 16, 2013 Gladys “Jan” P. Gibson went home to the Lord Saturday, Oct. 5 as the result of an aneurysm. Jan was born Jan. 9, 1924 in St. Louis, Mo., to Julius Lee and Mabel Winsby Crawford. She was married to Roland Paton from 1944 until his death in 1972, and they had five children together. After his death, with a 12-year-old daughter still at home, she continued to run the successful family business with the help of her 23-year-old son. Her married daughter lived nearby. Jan began college and graduated with her bachelor’s degree, with honors, in 1979. She worked as a geriatric social worker at the Lutheran Altenheim in St. Louis, Mo., for the next eight years. She married widower Arlen Gibson on June 21, 1981. Following her retirement three years later, they became full-time RVers and traveled throughout 49 states - visiting with friends and family for extended periods. They decided Wickenburg would be their home when they left the road. Jan and Arlen have been residents of Wickenburg for 21 years, living in Westpark. They operated AJ Locksmith together on Wickenburg Way from 1994 to 2012. Church has always been a major part of their lives. They were active members and enjoyed the fellowship at Redeemer Lutheran Church for 16 years. The past four years, Jan and Arlen have been part of the loving family at Mt. Hope Assembly of God. Although family members live all across the country, Jan and Arlen visited with everyone as often as possible. Family was extremely important to Jan, and she always sent cards and made calls to recognize birthdays, anniversaries, and other special events. She especially enjoyed spending time with her grown children: Virginia “Ginny” Bergen (Bob), Richard “Rich” Paton (Barb), and Patricia “Pat” Paton (Steve). She had a stillborn daughter and lost her son Robert “Bobby” and his grandmother in a tragic car accident in 1960 when he was 10 years old. Six years later, her first grandson was stillborn. Other survivors include her loving grandchildren Robert, Jennifer, Christopher, Karin, and Sarah as well as their children Brandon, Lauren, Reese, Hestin, Nate, Maggie, Brianne, Joey, A.J., and Jonah. She would have met her great-great grandson Gabriel at the family reunion party. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service was held Saturday (Oct. 12) at Mt. Hope Assembly of God Church in Wickenburg. An additional memorial service is being planned in Missouri for family unable to attend the service in Wickenburg due to major health concerns. In Jan Gibson’s memory, donations may be made to Mt. Hope Assembly of God Church for the tremendous support the church family has shown to her and her family. Arrangements are made by David’s Desert Chapel in Wickenburg.