Louella M. Gibbons

ANDERSON-Louella May Gibbons, 98, of Alma, Michigan and formerly of Anderson died on Sept. 25, 2025 at Arbor Grove Assisted Living surrounded by family.
Louella was born on August 22, 1927 in Monon, Indiana, to Dorothy and Clarence Beasy. She was the sixth of 10 children. She received a degree in Christian Education from Northern Theological Seminary. She taught Sunday School in the summers in Colorado. She met her husband, Orland Gibbons in college and they were married May 27, 1950. They lived together in Chicago while Orland finished seminary. Louella worked at Carson Perry Scott wrapping gifts and the Monon Railroad in Chicago. Orland took his first pastorate, part-time weekends while finishing school in Parr, Indiana. After Orland graduated, they moved to Brookston Indiana, and Orland became a pastor at a country church, Badger Grove. After several years, they moved to Marion Indiana where Orland and Louella were part of a new church start. Church met in their house, and every room was utilized including the bathroom to hang coats! They moved an old cafeteria building to a site next to the house which then became the church. This was when Louella went back to school and certified in elementary education at Marion College. Several years later, they moved to Camden, Indiana where Orland served as pastor at the First Baptist Church. Louella became an elementary school teacher and was Steve’s first grade teacher because she wanted him to learn phonics. After 5 years, they moved to Anderson, IN and Orland became the pastor at Mounds Baptist Church for 20 years. It was difficult to find a teaching job at that time, so Louella went back to school at IUPUI for a master’s degree in Special Education. She worked for many years in the Anderson Community Schools, mainly at Turtle Creek Nursing Home where they had a wing for children with severe disabilities. Along with working full time, she was always a support to Orland at the church. She taught many years of Sunday School, was active in women’s groups and sang in the choir. After Orland’s retirement, they spent winters in Plant City, Fl at a senior mobile home park. They loved being in Florida in the winter and close to Steve. They also were campground hosts at Mounds State Park in Anderson in the summer.
Louella was a true servant of the Lord from walking her neighborhood in Anderson and praying for her neighbors to talking to her caregivers about the Lord. She was always sharing her favorite Bible verse Proverbs 3:5-6 which is “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding….” She was well loved by the Arbor Grove staff and residents the 9 years she was there. She was a regular attender at the Church of God in Alma and will be missed by many.
Louella is survived by her 3 children, Pat Luetkemeier (Maurie) of Alma Mi, Tim Gibbons (Debbie) of Lexington KY, and Steve Gibbons (Andrea) of St Augustine Fl. She has 5 grandchildren, Max Luetkemeier(Hannah), Will Luetkemeier (Rebekah), Daniel Gibbons (Bree), Peter and Rachel Gibbons.
Louella is preceded in death by her husband, 9 siblings, and parents.
Her Service of Celebration will be at 11am on Oct. 2 (Thursday) at Rozelle-Johnson Funeral Service in Anderson with Pastor Steve Wimmer officiating. A private burial will be in Anderson Memorial Park Cemetery.
Visitation will be on Wednesday Oct.1 from 4-6pm and on Thursday from 10-11am, 1 hour prior to the service.
A hymn sing and ice cream social (two of her favorite things) will be held in her honor and to celebrate her life at the Alma Church of God at a later date.
Funeral arrangements were made through Clark Funeral Home in Mount Pleasant, Mi and Rozelle-Johnson Funeral Service of Anderson, IN.
The family would like to thank the staff at Arbor Grove Assisted Living and the nurses from MyMichigan Hospice for the excellent care that Louella received during her brief illness.
Post online condolences at www.rozelle-johnson.com or www.dignitymemorial.com.