Connie Regina Gilbert

Connie Regina Gilbert (“Jeanie”, or “Mom”), 70, of Niles, Michigan, died peacefully Tuesday, November 10, 2026, following complications related to a valiant 10 year ten-year battle with cancer. Jeanie was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and dear friend to many. She lived her faith by extending care and kindness to everyone whose life intersected with her own.

Her life began on April 7, 1956, in Gary, Indiana, where she was raised by Charles “Donald” and Connie “Yvonne” Whitworth alongside her younger brother, David. Jeanie graduated from Portage High School and later moved to Niles, Michigan, where she married Anthony F. Gilbert on October 15, 1977, at Fulkerson Park Baptist Church. She poured herself into the full-time job of raising and homeschooling four “opinionated” children and creating a nurturing and orderly home for her family.

Mom had an insatiable curiosity that fueled a lifelong love of reading. She was a connoisseur of both fiction and nonfiction, and one of her greatest passions was passing her love of learning on to her children. She filled the roles of math teacher, English teacher, scientist, and theologian. When faced with complex subject matter, Mom simply found a book and taught herself. She was fond of nature and backyard science experiments and instilled in her children a lasting appreciation of the outdoors.

Mom deeply enjoyed her time with family and conversing late into the evening with whomever was still awake. Even when not participating, she loved to sit with her children and grandchildren and listen to whatever the topic du jour happened to be. She was loyal and fiercely protective, assuming the role of mama bear in the face of any risk to her children or grandchildren, whether real or perceived. She demonstrated remarkable determination and perseverance in the face of adversity, even when that adversity threatened her own physical well-being. Mom had an often subtle thirst for adventure that sometimes manifested itself through things like kayaking the St. Joe River, befriending strangers on train rides to Minneapolis, and driving herself to as many of her grandchildren's sporting events as possible. Listening to others share their own adventures brought her a sense of excitement.

Jeanie was deeply devoted to her faith and attended Community Church in Edwardsburg, Michigan, for the better part of four decades. She taught Sunday School, led children's ministries, and was always willing to care for the children of friends and family whenever needed. Her faith in Christ was not merely a source of comfort, but the foundation upon which she built her life and the enduring source of strength she offered her family.

Jeanie will be profoundly missed by her loved ones. She is survived by her parents, Connie and Charles Whitworth of Portage, Indiana; children, Daniel (Heather) Gilbert of Little Canada, Minnesota, Elizabeth Gilbert of South Bend, Indiana, Nathan (Katie) Gilbert of Edwardsburg, Michigan, and David (Meagan) Gilbert of Granger, Indiana; grandchildren, Joshua, Lileyna, Lincoln, Quinn, Thea, and Sage; and a host of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of nearly forty-six years, Anthony Gilbert, in 2023, and her brother, David Whitworth, in 2026.

The funeral service for Jeanie Gilbert will be at 12:00 noon on Friday, November 20, 2026, at the Community Church, 28647 U.S. 12 West, near Edwardsburg, Michigan, with Dan Thomas officiating. Committal will be private at the Silverbrook Cemetery. Contributions in memory of Jeanie may be made to Community Church, P.O. box Box 598, Edwardsburg, Michigan 49112, or online at https://edwardsburg.church/online-giving. 

Arrangements were entrusted to Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Services, 615 East Main Street in Niles. Online memories may be left at www.halbritterwickens.com.

Mom will be remembered for a life of devotion and sacrifice, for placing her family above all else, and for giving generously of her time, resources, and even the last reserves of her physical strength. She leaves behind a boundless legacy of kindness, gentleness, and fearless resolve in the face of uncertainty. Those who knew her will carry the imprint of her love for the rest of their lives.