B Josephine Hibbs, September 14, 1921 — February 09, 2019

B. Josephine Hibbs September 14, 1921 – February 09, 2019 Share this obituary Sign Guestbook| Send Private Condolences| Send Sympathy Card Josephine Hibbs, 97, of rural Columbia City died at 2:50 p.m. Saturday, February 9, 2019 at Miller’s at Oak Pointe, Columbia City. She was born September 14, 1921 in Chester Twp. , Wabash County, Indiana, a daughter of the late Rev.

Elmer Howard and Ina Arminda (McFarland) Gilbert. Her formative years were spent in Chester Twp. , Wabash County where she graduated from Chester High School in 1939.

She earned her a bachelor’s degree from Manchester College in 1943 and a master’s degree from Ball State. On July 16, 1945 she was united in marriage to R. Jack Hively. They made their home in Fort Wayne for two years and then moved to Etna-Troy Twp.

, Whitley County. Mr. Hively died on November 5, 1992. On February 19, 1994 she married Rev.

Orlo W. Hibbs. They had always made their home in the Columbia City area. Rev.

Hibbs died on August 1, 2016. A career-long teacher, she taught home economics at Coesse, Churubusco, Larwill, Pierceton and Whitko schools for a total of 32 years. She was a talented quilter and also enjoyed knitting, crochet, and tatting.

She is fondly remembered for her stacks of crocheted dish clothes given to her children. She was gifted with her hands and liked painting decorative china and leather tooling. She was a member of the Westpoint United Methodist Church, the Friendly Neighbors Ladies Aid and a past president of the Business & Professional Women.

She is survived by her children, Phil E. (Marilyn) Hively, Columbia City, Robert J. (Dorothy) Hively, Aurora, IL, Margaret A. (Tom) Wise, Columbia City and Melanie J. (Dennis) Sollenberger, N. Potomac, MD; nine grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and 7 great-great-grandchildren. Additionally, she was preceded in death by five sisters, Ethel Hyde, Madeline Walls, Louise Gilbert, Dorotha Zinsmeister, and Virginia Balsbaugh, and two brothers, Arthur & Edward Gilbert. The funeral service is 2:00 pm.

Saturday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. Burial is in the Thorn Cemetery. Visitation is 12 noon until the service Saturday at the funeral home.

A funeral dinner will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday at the West Point Trinity United Methodist Church, 4980 N Etna Rd, Columbia City, IN 46725. Preferred memorials are to West Point UMC or Heartland Hospice.

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