Gilbert F. "Gib" Besand, 93, of Perryville, passed away early Friday morning, March 28, 2025, at Mercy Hospital Southeast in Cape Girardeau.
He was born July 5, 1931, in Perry County to Bertrand Gilbert and Frances Ann (McCauley) Besand.
Gib and Myrna Rose Huber were married on 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.
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.
Survivors include his wife; daughter, Patricia (Larry) Klump; four sons, Joseph (Rebecca) Besand, Paul (Lisa) Besand, Thomas (fiancée Machelle Crase) Besand, James (Karla) Besand all of Perry County; brother, Kenneth Paul Besand of Perryville; sister, Ruth Ann Basler of Perryville; 10 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 (fiancée Sarah Kwast) Besand; and eight great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Rose Mary Besand, Mary Lou Kephart, Katherine Mary Sadler; and one brother, Clyde "Blackie" Besand.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, April 11, 2025, at Ford & Young Funeral Home in Perryville, with a VFW Wake Service at 7 p.m.
Visitation will continue from 9 to 9:45 a.m. on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Perryville.
A funeral Mass 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 the St. Vincent de Paul School Endowment Fund.
Online condolences may be made at www.fordandyoungfuneralhome.com.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Ford & Young Funeral Home.
