Gilbert E. Briley

Gilbert Earl Briley, 82, of Shelbyville, died Thursday, Oct. 26, 2006, at his home. Born Jan. 21, 1924, in Rush County, he was the son of Earl Thomas and Zola M. (Poe) Briley. He married Bonita Joy Dearinger, and she preceded him in death. Survivors include one brother, Gerald Briley of Dayton, Ohio; one niece; three nephews; four great-nieces; and six great-nephews; and special friend, Lucile Donica of Shelbyville. He also was preceded in death by his parents. Mr. Briley was a Shelby County resident for most of his life. He had been employed with the U.S. Post Office as a rural and city letter carrier, retiring in 1988, and the former WSVL Radio as a broadcast engineer from 1961 to 1984. Mr. Briley was a U.S. Air Force veteran serving as a first lieutenant during World War II, where he was a B-17 navigator in the European Theater. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church and the former Shelby R.C. Club at Waltz Field. Mr. Briley was an avid radio control model airplane enthusiast. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Freeman Family Funeral Homes, Carmony-Ewing Broadway Chapel, 232 W. Broadway St. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Corlis Dees II officiating. Interment will be in Forest Hill Cemetery, with military rites conducted by local veterans organizations. Memorial contributions may be made to the Briley Nursing Scholarship, in care of Freeman Family Funeral Homes, Carmony-Ewing Harrison Street Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St., Shelbyville, IN 46176. Online condolences may be sent to www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.