Gilbert Reinhold Haby, of Castroville, was called to Heaven on Christmas morning at the age of 88 years. Gilbert was born October 1, 1930 in the Cliff Community in north Medina County, one of five children of Ariel Alphonse Haby and Julia Thekla Winkler Haby.
After graduating from Jefferson High School in 1947, Gilbert worked on the family farm until he enlisted in the Army in 1951, serving for three years during the Korean War.
After his military service, Gilbert worked for Gulf Oil in San Antonio before purchasing a Gulf distributorship in Castroville in 1957. In 1971, he sold that business and purchased a Lone Star Beer distributorship in Castroville. He owned that company for eighteen years, retiring in 1989.
On September 19, 1954, he married Frances “Frankie” Martha Finger at St. Louis Catholic Church. They were blessed with 64 wonderful years of marriage, four daughters, eight grandchildren, two step-grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Gilbert was a member of St. Louis Catholic Church and St. Louis Men’s Society. He was also a member of the Wholesale Beer Distributors of Texas, American Legion Weiss-Wurzbach Post 460, Hermann Sons Castroville Lodge #71, Catholic Life Castroville Branch #17, and Quihi Gun Club. He also served on the Board of Directors for Edwards Aquifer.
Gilbert loved nothing more than spending time with his family, especially at the family ranch known as Gilley’s Place. He enjoyed his daily trips to Sammy’s Restaurant and “World Headquarters,” meeting with friends to discuss local and national news and current community events.
Gilbert was preceded in death by his parents, Ariel and Julia Haby; grandson, Blake Andrew Haby; brother and sister-in-law, Royce and Selma Haby; sisters, Margie Haby and Joyce Harwell.
Survivors include his wife, Frankie Haby of Castroville;daughters and sons-in-law, Gail and R. L. Haass, Brenda and Dwight Haby, all of Castroville, Lisa Soler, Lois and Noel Emerson, all of San Antonio; grandchildren, Lynsie (Philip) Crow, Shea Haass, Jason (Vandy) Haby, Briana Soler, Kendall Soler, Elliott Soler, Hunter Griffin, Grant Griffin; step-grandchildren, Hannah (Daniel) Nino, Hailey (Jared) Abell; great-grandchildren, Kyla Solis, Karson Solis, Kenna Solis, Karter Crow, Arden Haby, Madeline Haby, Cameron Haby; brother and sister-in-law, Kenneth and Kathleen Haby; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many, many friends.
Visitation was Friday, December 28, 2018 from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm at Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home, with the Holy Rosary recited at 7:00 pm that evening at St. Louis Catholic Church. Mass of the Resurrection was Saturday, December 29, 2018 at 10:00 am at St. Louis Catholic Church. Interment followed at St. Louis Catholic Cemetery with Military Honors.
Memorials may be made in Gilbert’s memory to St. Vincent de Paul at St. Louis Catholic Church or the charity of your choice.
Arrangements by Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home.