Laton Gilbert March 24, 2011. He was born to George and Ellen Gilbert on April 3, 1921, in Buffalo, Minn.  Laton was married to Marlys (Blad) Gilbert on Dec. 31, 1942.  Five sons were born into their family.  Laton and Marlys spent their early years farming in Minnesota.  While farming north of Cokato, Minn., Laton also started to drive school buses and later moved to Howard Lake, Minn., where he became a transportation coordinator for the Howard Lake School System.  Then in 1970 Laton, Marlys and their youngest son Tom, moved to California where Laton was a transportation coordinator for the Mt. Diablo School District.  After serving in that position for several years, Laton took a job in the money order division of Central Bank.  He retired from that position in his late 60s.  Laton continued to work at different jobs up until his hospital stay last year.  After many years in the Concord/Walnut Creek area, Laton and Marlys moved to Turlock.  During all of his years, Laton always worked a second or third job to provide a good quality of life for his family.  He was a man of few words.  Family and friends also remember Laton as enjoying watching sports and how he loved his Pepsi.  Laton accepted Christ as his Savior and is now in eternity with Him.

The family will miss him a great deal.  He is survived by his wife, Marlys; sons, Gary and his wife, Sharon of Henning, Minn., Bruce and his wife, Sandy of Plymouth, Minn., Jim of Turlock, Ron and his wife, Gene of Howard Lake, Minn. and Tom of Concord.  Laton is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his sister and her husband, Eleanor and Alden Seashore; his parents; his daughter-in-law, Phyllis Gilbert; and grandson, Todd Allen Gilbert. 

Viewing will be held from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, April 1 at Whitehurst-Norton-Dias Funeral Home, located at 286 West Main St., in Turlock.  His memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 2 in Berg Hall at Covenant Village of Turlock, located at 2125 North Olive Ave., in Turlock.

Services are under the direction of Whitehurst, Norton & Dias Funeral Service of Turlock, www.whitehurstnortondiasfunerals.com.