Gilbert served his country as a National Guardsman for 32 years retiring in 1988 as a CW4. He is a recipient of The Army Commendation Medal for his service during Desert Shield/Desert Storm.
He was an outstanding athlete and student participating in football, basketball, and track as well as a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at Fairbury Junior College. He went on to graduate from the University of Nebraska with a degree in Economics.
In his spare time, Gilbert could be found fishing, golfing, tending to his garden, tinkering with computers, spending time with family, and enjoying his grandchildren.
Gilbert is survived by wife Delores Coatman; daughters Pam (Stan) Hegener and Peggy (Ron) Gentzler; son Kim Coatman; grandchildren Tricia Carr, Spence Hegener, Keri Mitchell, Katherine Brown; great-grandchildren Grace Hegener, Grant Hegener, Peyton Carr, Caleb Carr, McCoy Mitchell, Walker Hancock, Cord Brown, Ava Karis Brown, Briley Brown; brothers Larry Coatman and Ed Coatman; and sisters Colleen Williams and Suzanne Markham. Foster grandson Adrian Stewart and family.
Preceded in death by his parents Sterling and Eleanor Coatman; sisters Peggy Coatman and Evaline Halvorsen; brothers Simon Lee Coatman, and great-grandson Thomas Gerald Mitchell.
Celebration of the Life will be held on Saturday, May 28, 2022 at 10:30AM at the American Lutheran Church, 4200 Vine Street, Lincoln, NE 68503.
Burial at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery. Memorials to the American Lutheran Church.