Funeral services for Melvin Gilbert, age 80, of West Monroe, LA will be 10 a.m., Monday, July 25, 2016 in the chapel of Kilpatrick Funeral Home, West Monroe, LA with Rev. Steve Jensen, Rev. Pete Gilbert, and Brother James Gardner officiating. Interment will be in Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Calhoun, LA under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home, West Monroe, LA. Mr. Gilbert was born March 15, 1936 in LeCompte, LA and died Friday, July 22, 2016, in West Monroe, LA after a lengthy illness. Melvin had a love for music and played many instruments, primarily the guitar. Mr. Gilbert was a retired iron worker, an insurance salesman, but above all he was a loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend to many. Melvin never met a stranger and treated everyone he encountered with love, respect, and kindness, but above all, he had an undying love for the Lord and that love was practiced throughout his life. He was preceded in death by his wife, Gladys Underwood Gilbert; his parents, Clayton R. Gilbert and Rosa Lee Gilbert; brother, Bob Gilbert; sisters, Bernice Griner and Betty Townsend. Mr. Gilbert is survived by three children, Eugene Gilbert and wife, Margaret; Barbara White and husband, Ernest; Wendy Meeks and husband, Michael; grandchildren, Joshua, Matthew and e, Brittany, Stephanie, and Wyatt Gilbert, Crystal Madiar, Emily White Flores and husband, Rod, Maleah White, Cloie and Camden Johnston and Alexis Meeks; great-grandchildren, Savannah, Daisy, Cole, Marley, Waylon, Audrie, Remi, and future great-grandchild, Deacon; four brothers dear to his heart, Mack Gilbert, Joe Gilbert, Johnny Gilbert, and Jackie Gilbert; special nephew, Randy Balsamo and family; his crazy ole woman grandchild, Mackenzie Hobbs Mullins; numerous nieces and nephews, and a host of family and friends.Pallbearers will be his four brothers, Mack, Joe, Johnny, and Jackie, Joshua and Matthew Gilbert. Honorary pallbearers will be Randy Balsamo, Wyatt Gilbert, and Camden Johnston. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Sunday, July 24, 2016 at Kilpatrick Funeral Home, West Monroe, LA and from 8:00 a.m. until time of service on Monday, July 25, 2016. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to McClendon Baptist Church, where Mr. Gilbert was a member.