Lt. Col. Gilbert Buffaloe, decorated veteran

Lt. Col. (Ret) Gilbert A. Buffaloe, 88, died Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013, at the Delaware Hospice Center.

Gilbert served his country proudly for 28 years and is a veteran of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. He earned numerous medals, including the Bronze Star and the Legion of Merit. His childhood was spent in rural Indiana, the son of Hannan and Faye Buffaloe, and he delighted in telling stories about those years. Enlisting in the Army during World War II, and working his way up through the ranks, he served in locations all over the world during his distinguished career as a military intelligence officer. He met the love of his life, Sibylla, while stationed in Germany after World War II.

Following his retirement from the military in 1971, Gilbert remained in Glen Burnie, Md., where he and Sibylla lived for more than 40 years. They moved to Delaware in 2003. Gilbert was known to family and friends as a staunch patriot, a great story teller, a man who never met a stranger, and a man who demonstrated how to love unconditionally. He was a true hero.

Gilbert faced many health challenges in his later years but fought bravely each time. Although age and illness had taken their toll, he was beloved at his last residence at Brandywine, Fenwick Island. His final illness was brief and he left this world peacefully.

Gilbert is survived by his loving wife and “angel” of 63 years, Sibylla. He also leaves behind two daughters, Diana Gresham (Bob) and Karen Pharr (Don); three grandchildren, Kimberly Gettier, Carissa Hall and Rob Gresham; and four great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a sister and brother and is survived by three sisters and a brother.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Sept. 25, at 11 a.m., at Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Clarksville Chapel, 34874 Atlantic Ave., Ocean View, where friends may call one hour prior to services. Interment with military honors will follow at 1 p.m., at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Millsboro.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.

Please visit Mr. Buffaloe's Life Memorial and sign the online guest registry at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com