Donald Gorbett

Donald Willard Gorbett was born July 1, 1920 in Sardinia, Indiana as the fifth of seven children. From a very early age, Don could be found sitting in the pew next to his mother each week at the United Brethren Church. Within just a few years, he was leading the congregation in hymns, already knowing that he wanted to spend his life as a minister. As long as he could remember, it was all he wanted to do. "As the ministers talked about Jesus, His life and teachings, His attitude and spirit, I wanted to be like Him as best I could." By the time he was 17 years old, and still a student at Jackson High School in Greensburg, Indiana, Don was granted a Quarterly Conference License to Preach. Two years later, while also working on campus to pay his way as a full time student at Indiana Central College (now, The University of Indianapolis), Don gained permission from the Conference Superintendent to serve as the minister at three recently closed churches. Each Sunday for the next three years, he would drive 85 miles each way to preach and serve three congregations. During these years, he also met and married Dorval Youngblood. Together, they would raise three daughters, Beverly, Barbara, and Marilyn. In 1946, Don graduated from Bonebrake Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio and was ordained. Over the more than 50 years that followed, he served churches in Jeffersonville, Indiana; Georgetown, Indiana; Evansville, Indiana; New Palestine, Indiana; Columbus, Ohio and Thornville, Ohio. "It has been my joy to serve God and our Lord Jesus Christ through serving people through these years. I have tried to give my best. My prayer is that my Lord and Master is pleased with my dedication and service. I hope to hear him say, 'Well done, thy good and faithful servant.'" Don survived three wives, Dorval, Bernice, and Fern. He was also preceded in death by his father, Marion Gorbett; his mother, Florence Gorbett; his brothers Russell E. Gorbett, Herschell Gorbett, and P. Richard Gorbett; his sister Mary Gorbett Harmon; and his step-son Gary Sullivan. He is survived by his brother, Cecil Gorbett; his sister, Betty Gorbett Letzler; his daughters Beverly Leibold (John), Barbara Maxson (Walt), and Marilyn Barnard (Steve); his step-sons, Stonnie Sullivan and Eric Sullivan; his granddaughter, Jennifer Maxson French; his grandson, Mitch Maxson; his step-grandsons, Scott Sullivan and Mark Sullivan; his step-granddaughter, Stefanie Sullivan Palich; his great grandsons T.J. French and Samuel French; and several step great grandchildren. You are invited to go to the Guest Book page to pass along your personal message or tell a story. Sincerely, -Your friends at Flanner and Buchanan