Francis Anthony "Tony Gilbert

Francis Anthony (Tony) Gilbert passed away on September 7, 2026, while residing at Brookstone View Nursing Facility in Broken Bow, Nebraska. Originally from Elwood, Indiana, he was 78 years old.

Tony was called to serve his country during the Vietnam War, proudly serving in the United States Air Force as an Aerospace Ground Equipment Repairman. While his duty station was Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, Tony’s favorite assignments took him to Bangkok, Thailand and Okinawa, Japan.

Some of his favorite family memories included participating in the YMCA Indian Princesses Program and taking annual family trips to Walt Disney World. Tony was a big fan of sweet treats, the Golden Oldies, and a variety of sports. He took a special interest in college football, particularly the Purdue Boilermakers, and later the Florida State University Seminoles. His favorite sport was golf, which he connected to his career by earning an Associates degree in turf management and working in golf course maintenance. Tony loved living in Florida where he could enjoy the sunshine and consistently warm weather.

Tony found peace, strength, and lifelong friendships through his AA community. He was a staunch believer in the 12 Step Program and the Big Book, and he appreciated having the opportunity to help younger participants in the program learn from his life experiences.

Tony is survived by his daughter, Lisa Gilbert-Hardon and her husband Ryan; his beloved grandson, Teddy; Lisa’s mother, Mary Joe; his cousin and best friend Brent (Chrissy) Sylvester. He is preceded in death by his mother, Rosemary Blair; his father, Charles.

In alignment with his wishes, Tony will be laid to rest in the Sarasota National Cemetery in Sarasota, Florida. Information regarding services will be released at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Grand Island VA Community Living Center in Tony’s honor. He spent a significant amount of time living in the CLC, and was incredibly fond of the staff for their care and support during a challenging time.