Col. USA (Ret.) John Kenton Gibler died April 17, 2017. A funeral service will be held at Marion Military Institute Chapel Thursday April 20, 2017. Visitation will be from 1-2 p.m. and funeral services will starting at 2 p.m.

Col. Gibler was born in June 1930 to John K Gibler and Jennie Gibler in Mattoon, Illinois.  Col. Gibler attended college at The Citadel in South Carolina and entered the U.S. Army in 1952 and served in Korea, the Dominican Republic and commanded a battalion in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive in 1968. His military awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross and Master Parachutist among others.

After retirement, Col. Gibler became the Director of Alumni Affairs and Public Relations at Marion Military Institute (MMI) in Marion. He concluded his distinguished service as the director of the Alabama Military Hall of Honor at MMI.

Col. Gibler is survived by his wife, Anna; son, John M. (Jessica) Gibler; brother, Jim Gibler; grandchildren, Jennie, Lauren, Phillip, Rachel, Amanda, Conrad, Kelli and Parker; and two great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in honor of John to Marion Military Alabama Hall of Honor.