WILBERT "WIB" ALMS, 92, of Chester, Illinois passed away at 6:55 am, Sunday, December 2, 2012 at Three Springs Lodge Nursing Home, Chester, Illinois. He was born to the late Henry F. and Anna G. (Geberding) Alms on April 27, 1920 in Steeleville, Illinois. Wib attended Accountant College in Chillicothe, Missouri. He joined the Navy on September 9, 1941 and served aboard the U.S.S Cossatot on convoy duty on the Atlantic Ocean during WWII. While home on leave, Wib and Alma Pruesse married on September 18, 1943 in Perryville, Missouri. From this union a son was born, Robert Paul Alms. Wib and Alma shared 38 years together before she passed away on October 6, 1981. Wib later married Ioan (nee Bivens) McKinney on July 27, 1982 in Chester; she survives. Wib was a pilot of a small aircraft that he and his son Robert built. He flew many times over Chester area in search for escaped inmates and to take aerial pictures of the Prison Property. For many years he trained the CAP cadets in Mattoon, Illinois on Glider flying. Wib loved going with his son Robert fishing and teaching his grandson's Nathan, Luke and Steve to fish. His weekly partner was his step-son Mark McKinney. Wib finished his working career as the Business Administrator at Menard Correctional Center in Chester. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Chester. He was also a member of V.F.W. Post #3553 in Chester, American Legion Post #487 in Chester, D.A.V., and Civil Air Patrol. He has also been a Boy Scout leader for many years. Wib was loved so much by family and extended family and he sure loved them. He will really be missed. Survivors: Wife Ioan Alms Chester, IL Son Robert (Mary Jo) Alms Atlanta, GA 4 Step Children Don (Terri) McKinney Chester, IL Mark (Kim) McKinney Chester, IL Tim (Julie) McKinney Stillwater, OK Tracy (Tom) Maue Chester, IL 1 Sister Helen Holm Steeleville, IL 2 Sisters-in-law Lois Alms Steeleville, IL Hilda Alms Mattoon, IL 9 Grandsons Stephen (Kellie) Alms, Eric McKinney, Nathan (Kelly) Maue, Luke (Nikki) Maue, Matt McKinney, Devin McKinney, Greg Griffiths, Clinton Griffiths and Shawn Griffiths 6 Granddaughters Jennifer Alms, Lauren (Blaine) Mulholland, Leslie McKinney, Jaala (Justin) Wallin, Sara Nichole McKinney, and Caitlin Ioan Maue Many Great Grandchildren, Nieces and Nephews Preceded in death by: Parents, Wife - Alma, and 2 Brothers - Robert and Everettt Alms Funeral Service: 11:00 am, Thursday, December 6, 2012 Pechacek-McClure Funeral Home, Chester, Illinois Officiating: Rev. Peter Ill Visitation: Wednesday - 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm Thursday - 7:30 am - 11:00 am Pechacek-McClure Funeral Home, Chester, Illinois Interment: St. John Lutheran Cemetery Chester, Illinois Memorials: St. John Radio Fund
