A funeral will be held Saturday, April 12, 2025 for 93-year-old Gilbert F. “Gib” Besand of Perryville, Missouri who passed away early Friday morning, March 28, 2025 at Mercy Hospital Southeast in Cape Girardeau, MO.
He was born July 5, 1931 in Perry County, Mo. to Bertrand Gilbert and Frances Ann (McCauley) Besand, who both preceded him in death.
Gib and Myrna Rose Huber were married October 23, 1954 at the Church of the Assumption (St. Mary’s of the Barrens) in Perryville. They were blessed with 70 years of marriage. She survives.
He is also survived by a daughter: Patricia (Larry) Klump; four sons: Joseph (Rebecca) Besand, Paul (Lisa) Besand, Thomas (fiancee Machelle Crase) Besand, and James (Karla) Besand all of Perry County, Mo.; a brother: Kenneth Paul Besand of Perryville, Mo.; a sister: Ruth Ann Basler of Perryville, Mo.; ten grandchildren: Jessica (Kenny) Naeger, Michael Besand, Anna (Ben) Parker, Brian Besand, Christopher (Jen) Besand, Courtney (Nick) Wren, Lacy (Jake) Russell, Luke Besand, Kelci (Joe) Hannan, Peyton (fiancee Sarah Kwast) Besand; and eight great-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by three sisters: Rose Mary Besand, Mary Lou Kephart, and Katherine Mary Sadler; and a brother: Clyde “Blackie” Besand.
He was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Perryville.
Gib was a 1949 graduate of St. Vincent High School.
He served in the United States Army as a forward artillery observer during the Korean Conflict.
He was a third generation farmer and worked long and hard in the fields, but still found time to coach little league baseball and attend the sporting events of his children and grandchildren.
Gib was a lifetime member of Knights of Columbus Council #1263, AmVets Post #94, and VFW Post #4282. He was also a member of the Western Catholic Union and a former member of the VFW Military Honor Guard Team.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Friday, April 11, 2025 at the Ford & Young Funeral Home in Perryville with a VFW Wake Service at 7 p.m.
Visitation will continue from 9:00 am to 9:45 am on Saturday, April 12, 2025 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Perryville.
A funeral mass for 93-year-old Gilbert F. “Gib” Besand of Perryville will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 12, 2025 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Perryville with the Rev. Joe Geders, C.M. and Deacon Tom Schumer officiating.
Entombment will be in the Mary Queen of Heaven Mausoleum at Mount Hope Cemetery in Perryville.
Military Honors will be provided by VFW Post #4282 and the Delta Team.
Memorial contributions may be given to St. Vincent de Paul School Endowment Fund.
Online condolences may be made at www.fordandyoungfuneralhome.com.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to Ford & Young Funeral Home.