Garvin Gary 'Bud' Gilbertson

NORTH TUSTIN, Calif. — Garvin Gary “Bud” Gilbertson of North Tustin, went home to Jesus on Feb. 4, 2021, following a 2 1/2 week battle with COVID-19.

Born to Garvin Gerald Gilbertson and Katherine Pavlovich Gilbertson on Jan. 24, 1943, in Milwaukee, the third of their 12 offspring, he was raised in Marenisco, Michigan, where he played championship basketball.

He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps right after graduation; he served in Vietnam and was awarded a Purple Heart, among other medals. Following his return from Vietnam, he was stationed at Camp Pendleton in California and met his future wife, Carol Moulton, while both were visiting Disneyland. They were married on July 9, 1968.

Bud was a committed Christian who taught Sunday school, served as a deacon, and volunteered in several other capacities at Grace Church of Orange, California. He served multiple short term mission trips to Cambodia, Vietnam and Nicaragua.

Bud was preceded in death by his parents and four of his siblings. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Carol; son, Erik (Traci); daughter, Amy Calderone (Tony); grandsons, Adam, Aaron, Andrew and Noah Calderone, all of North Tustin; by siblings, Deanna Blaschke of Mesquite, Nevada; Patricia Maki Treptow (Bob) of Bruce Crossing, Michigan; Donna Heaton of New Berlin, Wisconsin; Betsy Whitley (Mark) of Wakefield, Michigan; Bambi Mattson (Tim) of Norway, Michigan; Barbi Farrell (Craig) of Mesquite, Nevada; and Brian Gilbertson (Mihwa) of Converse, Texas; and by a host of nieces, nephews and other extended family.

A memorial service and burial with military honors was held Feb. 22 at Rose Hills Memorial Park, Whittier, California. Pastors Mike Sciarra and Ed Trenner officiated.