Gilbert "Gib" Woods (78) of Newton

Gilbert N. “Gib” Woods age 78, of Newton, Illinois, passed away at 12:11 AM Wednesday, January 6, 2021, at HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham, Illinois.

Services celebrating Gib’s life will be held at 1:30 PM Sunday, April 18, 2021, in an outside ceremony at the First Baptist Church in Newton, Illinois, with Rev. Steve Willis officiating. Arrangements are under the care of Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois. The obituary can be viewed and condolences left by clicking here. 

Gilbert better known as “Gib” was born on February 20, 1942, in Jasper County, Illinois, the son of Dale and Imogene (Kissinger) Woods. He graduated from Newton Community High School in 1960. On September 5, 1961, Gib was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart Carolyn Massey at Lawrenceville, Illinois. Carolyn preceded him in death on October 11, 2016.

Gib attended barber college in Decatur, and worked as a barber in Newton for several years. After Gib retired from being a barber, he formed Gib Woods Oil Company, and drilled and produced oil in Jasper and the surrounding counties. Gib had a passion of finding oil and enjoyed drilling and still worked on a regular basis as a consultant to help other oil companies in the area.

Gib was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church in Newton. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, watching sports from his cozy chair, tending to his yard, gardening, fishing, attending Newton Football games, walking and taking drives around the country to watch the wildlife and to check on oil wells. In years past, Gib was an avid quail hunter and had some of the finest bird dogs around.

Gib is survived by:

Children – Dr. Ronald (wife Dr. Laurel) Woods of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Jeanne (husband Andy) Shull of Hidalgo, Illinois

Grandchildren – Josie Woods, Axle Woods, Tyler (wife Kashtyn) Shull, Dr. Caleb (wife Emily) Shull, Jahida (husband Terry) Shull, Abby Shull, Dulce Shull and Tanner (wife Nataline) Shull

Great Grandchildren – Isisah Neal, Jacob Neal, Aubree Neal, Oliver Shull, Case Shull, Brooklyn Shull, Natalie Shull, David Shull and Ava Shull

Sister – Nelda Callicoat of Newton, Illinois

Several nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends also survive

Gib was preceded in death by his parents, wife of 55 years Carolyn, brother Gary Woods and sisters Peggy Schrader and Becky Matthews.