Mary Norma Gellenbeck Mitchell Gibson was born Jan. 30, 1930, in Lafayette, Ind., and went to her eternal rest on Oct. 3, 2005, at the age of 75.
On Feb. 15, 1948, she was married to Joseph Watson Mitchell. Five children were born to this union, three sons and two daughters. Joe went to his eternal rest on May 2, 1972.
On Dec. 30, 1976, Mary was married to Ezra D. Gibson. Mary was a devoted mother, wife and successful businesswoman. The first 12 years of her marriage, she spent at home raising her five children. In 1960 she started work for Gibson Homes in Springfield, eventually becoming president of Rosewood Homes, Inc., her own land development and home building business, which she ran with her five children. After moving to the Mansfield area in 1986 she opened Ability Realty in 1992, which she ran with her two daughters until 1997.
At the time of her death, she was managing partner of Rosewood Enterprises, and was in the process of developing a subdivision in Ava.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Gladys and Harry Gellenbeck; her first husband, Joe Mitchell; her second husband, Ezra D. Gibson; two stepsons, Henry and Larry Gibson; one stepdaughter, Dorothy Porter; one brother, Harry Gellenbeck; one nephew and one step-grandson.
She is survived by three sons, David, Kevin and Noel Mitchell, and two daughters, Mary Jo and Denise Mitchell; all of the home; her sister, Gladys Nezat and husband, Malvin, of Houston, Texas; her stepmother, Mae Gellenbeck, of Seymour; one half brother, Ron Gellenbeck, Cloverdale, Ind.; and one half sister, Kathy Lucky, of Marion, Ind; 10 step-grandchildren; 13 nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services are under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home in Mansfield. The funeral will be Saturday, Oct. 8, at 2 p.m., with visitation Friday, Oct. 7, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., and Saturday from 1 to 2 p.m.
