Russell Clark Gibbs of Grand Junction, Michigan passed away on March 21, 2023 at age 83. He was born the only child of Ross Gibbs and Hilda von Stommer in Los Angeles, California. Ross moved the family back to Laingsburg, Michigan where his adoptive family lived, then settled in Olivet, Michigan.

Russ graduated from Olivet College and attended Gordon Divinity School in Wenham, Massachusetts. It was there that he met Hazel Bachman in the shared dining room with Gordon College. They were married on August 15, 1964 in Kirkwood, Pennsylvania by Hazel's pastor father.

they then settled in Michigan where Russ held different jobs at different times and in different cities: City Directory in Lansing, Wayne Co. Bureau of Social Aid in Detroit, an Employment Counselor with MESC in Grand Rapids and Petoskey and Job Corps and Kent CAP in Grand Rapids. He was also a gunsmith and taught evening classed in G.R. He even opened his own shop for a time.

He finally settled in the Grand Junction area where he raised registered dairy goats for many years until he became the interim pastor a Bloomingdale Bible church. He then became the full-time pastor for over 20 years.

Russ loved learning and, over the years, continued his education. He completed several courses of study in counselling through Light Learning Institute at Liberty University and was a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. He obtained his master's degree and then later a doctorate from Shelbourne University, graduating summa cum laude.

He recently began a Great Course in Biblical Hebrew and one in Hieroglyphics for historic background on the early Old Testament period.

During his lifetime he enjoyed many other things as well. He loved baseball and coached his 4 sons in Little League - the older 2 in Grand Rapids and the younger ones in Bloomingdale. He also coached wrestling at Job Corps.

He liked helping young people in need. This included helping 5 teen boys at different times (one of whom came bringing his girlfriend and their baby) all the while raising 2 young sons of his own.

He also enjoyed gunsmithing and did custom work for people as well as repairs at his shop in Grand Rapids.

He had a keen interest in herbs and homeopathics and things for better health which he used extensively with his registered dairy goat herd, also doing extensive research on their care.

On the farm in Grand Junction, he also raised organic fruits and vegetables.

He also did extensive Bible Study and research in very old commentaries and early church history. His main love, besides his family was studying and teaching God's Word and pastoring his church.

Russ is survived by his wife Hazel (with whom he would have celebrated 59 years of marriage this August) and his 4 sons and their families with 11 grandchildren.

The family would like to thank Kairos Dwelling Hospice House in Kalamazoo for their care and compassion during Russ' last days. After many years of dealing with congestive heart failure, his heart was too tired to go on and he went to be with the Lord he loved and served.

There will be a time of visitation from 10 am to 11 am at the Bloomingdale Bible Church on the corner of Chestnut and Pine on April 29 in Bloomingdale, Michigan. The memorial service will follow at 11 am at the church. Rev. Dave Youngs will be presiding.

Those wishing to offer expressions of sympathy are encouraged to make a memorial contribution to the Bloomingdale Bible church (P.O. Box 266, Bloomingdale, MI 49026)

Thank you too to Ofield Funeral Home for their help and services.