Wilbur J. Hibbs, 83, of 25th Street, Columbus, died Sunday, December 11, 2011 at Hospice of South Central Indiana Inpatient Facility. Wilbur was retired from Mariah Packing Co., where he was employed for over 50 years. He was affiliated with The Ridge church. Born in Erie, Kansas, on March 12, 1928, he was a strong family man who left school at an early age to help raise his seven younger siblings. Surviving siblings are Joe (Linda) Hibbs of Hope, IN, Richard Hibbs of North Vernon, IN, and Saundra Slattery of Newbern, IN. Wilbur was preceded in death by siblings Patty Walls, Roger Hibbs, Doris Piper and Karen Cardinal. Wilbur spent his teen years working as a railroad laborer, was a cowboy in Montana, was a combat veteran of the U.S. Army during the Korean War, and also served in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy. While stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, Wilbur was an extra in the film "Take The High Ground" starring Richard Widmark. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of South Central Indiana. SERVICES: 11:00 a.m. Thursday December 15, 2011 PLACE: Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home VISITATION: 4-8 p.m. Wednesday December 14, 2011 and one hour prior to the service on Thursday. BURIAL: Garland Brook Cemetery with military rites by the Bartholomew County Veterans Color Guard.

Wilbur J. Hibbs, 83, of 25th Street, Columbus, died Sunday, December 11, 2011 at Hospice of South Central Indiana Inpatient Facility. Wilbur was retired from Mariah Packing Co., where he was employed for over 50 years. He was affiliated with The Ridge church. Born in Erie, Kansas, on March 12, 1928, he was a strong family man who left school at an early age to help raise his seven younger siblings. Surviving siblings are Joe (Linda) Hibbs of Hope, IN, Richard Hibbs of North Vernon, IN, and Saundra Slattery of Newbern, IN. Wilbur was preceded in death by siblings Patty Walls, Roger Hibbs, Doris Piper and Karen Cardinal. Wilbur spent his teen years working as a railroad laborer, was a cowboy in Montana, was a combat veteran of the U.S. Army during the Korean War, and also served in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy. While stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, Wilbur was an extra in the film ?Take The High Ground? starring Richard Widmark. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of South Central Indiana. SERVICES: 11:00 a.m. Thursday December 15, 2011 PLACE: Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home VISITATION: 4-8 p.m. Wednesday December 14, 2011 and one hour prior to the service on Thursday. BURIAL: Garland Brook Cemetery with military rites by the Bartholomew County Veterans Color Guard.