Adrian Bernard Gebben

Adrian Bernard Gebben passed away on Friday, August 29, 2025 at San Gabriel Memory Care in Godfrey, IL. Adrian was born on February 10, 1937 at home in Brussels, IL, the son of George and Pauline (Schmidt) Gebben. His family moved to Alton in 1945. Adrian met his beloved wife, Mary Kay Gebben, in high school. They married on February 15, 1958 at St. Mary’s Church in Alton, IL. Adrian and his wife settled in Alton/Godfrey and raised four children. She preceded him in death in 2016. Adrian attended St. Mary’s School and Marquette Catholic High School, graduating in 1955. He attended Marquette University and graduated from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, earning a degree in history. Adrian served in the U.S. Air Force for three years as a supply specialist. After the Air Force, he spent his career as an office manager and purchasing agent, retiring in 2005 from Sterling Lacquer Paint Manufacturing Company in St. Louis, MO. Adrian was also an author. He wrote short stories, poems, and novels including the recently published novel titled Wings of a Dove. He liked regaling his beloved children and grandchildren with his many stories. For several years, Adrian enthusiastically coached his three sons’ Little League baseball and soccer teams. He later had a great time playing slow-pitch softball on a team with his grown sons. Adrian was an avid walker, reader, and collector. For years, he walked in Tower Grove Park on his lunch hour and later at Alton Square Mall with his grandson. He read several newspapers daily. Adrian had a great sense of humor and got a kick out of the comic strips. He took great pleasure in collecting books, record albums, comic books, and movies. For many years, he did not miss the Friends of Hayner book sale, even getting his picture in The Telegraph a few times. Adrian also dedicated a lot of time to completing his family genealogy. He could always be found taking lots of pictures at family gatherings. Adrian told his family to write down memories and details of pictures because, “yesterday is our reward.” He is survived and missed dearly by three sons: Kenneth (Diana) Gebben of St. Charles, MO; Daniel (Phyllis) Gebben of Alton, Steven (Christina) Gebben of Godfrey; one daughter, Elaine (John) Grove of Edwardsville; eleven grandchildren: Alexandria Thompson, Victoria (Brandon) Oliver, Colton, Michael (Jessica), Brian, Nicholas, and Adam (Brittney) Gebben, Emily (PJ) Adams, Caitlin (Kevin) Burling, Megan (Nolan) Finney, and Renata Grove; ten great-grandchildren: Trenton, Clara, Olivia, Farrah, Lana, Lily, Macie, Edith, Daphne, and Oliver; and many cousins. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, aunts, uncles, and many cousins. Memorials may be made directly to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Alzheimer’s Association. Service/Burial will be private. Online condolences and guestbook may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com

Tributes

Adrian Bernard Gebben

February 10, 1937 - August 29, 2025