Dewey Washington Gibson Jr.

CARBONDALE - Dewey Washington Gibson Jr. was born on Sept. 16, 1937, in Balcom to Stella Vinson Gibson and Dewey Washington Gibson Sr. (Jack). He died Aug. 24, 2025.

He was born in what was then the third-oldest standing log cabin in Illinois, which now resides in a museum in Springfield. He was the youngest son of eight children: sisters Aureta (Goforth), Lucille (Rhodes), Bonnie (Trexler), Leroy Gibson, Pat (Bryant), Sharon (Schaffer), and a baby that died in infancy. All have preceded him in death except sisters Pat Bryant of Alto Pass and Sharon Schaffer of Florida.

Dewey attended Alto Pass Grade School and Cobden High School. Dewey's father wanted him to drop out of school at age 16 to work on the farm and in the orchards, but he insisted on staying in school. He graduated in 1955 from Cobden High School with his graduating class of 25 students.

During his time growing up, his grandmother, Fanny Vinson, lived next door to Berdie Van Zandt Farrar in Berryville, just south of Jonesboro, and he would visit on weekends. That is where he first saw his future wife, Frances Louise Farrar- "the beautiful girl next door." Later, he really got to know her at the Annual School Pie Auction/Dinner Dance, where he wanted to bid on a special pie she had made but had no money. Stepping in was Cecil "Tickey" Norris, the owner of Norris Funeral Home on the Jonesboro square, who gave the poor farm boy money to buy the pie. Dewey talked about this moment his whole life as a turning point.

Now introduced, they began dating regularly. Because Frances Farrar also had family next door in Berryville, Dewey grew up close friends with Bill Casey and Karen Joe Turner, almost as if part of the family. Two completely separate families literally grew up together as one before ever getting married.

Upon graduation, Dewey and Frances were married on Christmas Eve at the Union County Courthouse. They immediately got on the Amtrak train to travel to Holland, Michigan, where Dewey already had a job and had saved enough money to surprise his new wife with a new apartment, pots, and pans as a wedding gift. Soon after, other family members followed Dewey and Frances to Michigan for work, and within a short period both sides of the family migrated from Union County to Holland where many have lived to this day. Their first son, Wesley Jay Gibson, was born in Holland, Michigan, in 1957.

In 1960, Dewey moved back to Carbondale and they had their second son, Randall Scott Gibson. They bought a small two-bedroom house on Springer Ridge Road from Newt and Ruth Allen and lived there the entire rest of their lives moving around the same 20-acre piece of land, building multiple houses and duplex apartments.

Dewey went to work for Eddings Brothers in Carbondale in HVAC and started night school at Technical College in West Frankfort to earn his degree in HVAC. He later partnered with Dave Evans of Murphysboro to start Airtrend Heating & Cooling, which they ran and grew together for the next 30 years into the premier HVAC contractor in the Carbondale area. Dewey was known for top quality, and his word was his bond with only a handshake.

Dewey always believed in supporting his extended family his whole life. He took wonderful care of both sets of parents and grandparents, teaching by his actions, not just his words. Randy Gibson, his youngest son, worked with Dewey in the business, ultimately taking over and running the business today.

From 1990 to 1995, Frances, his wife, was in DuPage Hospital for lymphoma cancer, and Dewey attended her side daily for five years. He was a loving, caring husband through this long, tough period of life.

Throughout Dewey's life, he loved playing music, hunting, and fishing. Dewey spent many weekends playing guitar and lead singer with a group of relatives - uncles and cousins - in a country and western band at homes or nightclubs. He sat every evening after work relaxing, practicing guitar and harmonica. He loved music, especially hymns and old-time songs, he and his sisters sang while growing up.

He regularly fished all over southern Illinois - Little Grassy Lake, Crab Orchard, Cedar Creek Lake - and his best fishing buddy was Amos Covington for over 30 years, along with extended nephews and cousins who loved to go fishing with Uncle Dude.

Dewey enjoyed a wonderful 30-year retirement. He remarried Charline Ashwell of Carbondale, who reinvigorated his life and helped renew his spirit. They have been married for 22 years. Together, they built a beautiful modern retirement house on Springer Ridge Road, with extensive flower and vegetable gardens that were their pride and joy.

He began walking, exercising and biking every day. His health improved significantly, which allowed him to travel with family all over the world, taking trips to Europe, Hawaii, cruises, fishing trips to Alaska, and countless road trips. Dewey got to see all his grandchildren grow up, graduate college, get married, and see his three great-grandchildren all born.

He has seven grandchildren: Christopher Gibson, Michael Gibson (wife Kara), Johnathon Gibson (wife Andrea), Frances Gibson, Shelbi Smith, Joey Robbins, Ryan Robbins. He has seven great-grandchildren. He was an uncle to over 32 nephews and nieces and enjoyed them all immensely.

Dewey loved basketball his whole life. He played basketball in school, loved watching his son, Randy Gibson, play basketball at CCHS, and loved watching the Salukis play basketball in retirement. He had to have special cable channels in Florida in the winter at his house in Stuart, just to watch the Salukis. He said many times he got to do everything he ever wanted in retirement.

In the last few years, he enjoyed slowing down and wonderful meals at his beloved Tom's Restaurant, Hunan's, and Mary's. He was an avid wine connoisseur and got to do a birthday Napa Valley tour with a dozen close family members two years ago.

To cherish his memory, Dewey leaves his wife, Charline Ashwell Gibson; son and family, Wesley Jay and Dr. Linda Gibson; son and family, Randy and Patty Gibson; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Funeral services for Dewey Gibson will be at noon Saturday, Sept. 6, in Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the service time at noon. Private interment will take place at Casper Cemetery in Anna. Following the service, the family will host a luncheon at Pine Manor, 26 Pine Lake Drive, Carbondale, IL 62901. All in attendance are invited to join the family for a time of food and fellowship.

Memorial contributions can be made to a charity of the donor's choice. Envelopes are available at Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home.

Life and God's Blessings from the extended Gibson Family

To visit Dewey's memorial page and leave online condolences for his family, please visit the Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home website at rendlemanhilemanfh.com.