Lewis E. Gilbreath, 94, of Winfield, died March 22, 2019 at Cumbernauld Village.

Lewis was born July 14, 1924 in Garden City, Missouri to W.F. "Bill" and Elsie Gilbreath. As a boy, he lived in Missouri and Arkansas with his family. Lewis graduated from Joplin, Missouri High School. He received BA and MS degrees from Pittsburg State University and did additional graduate work at Wichita State University and Oklahoma State University.

Lewis served in the US Army during WWII, in the United States and Europe. After serving in the military, he was employed in a family retail furniture and appliance business in Joplin, MO. After college he was employed with schools in Russell and Hutchinson and retired from Southwestern College after twenty-two years. Later he was Marketing Director for Cumbernauld Village.

Organizations in which Lewis was active included, a lifetime member of the United Methodist Church. He maintained many professional and community activities along with his membership in the Winfield Rotary Club.

Lewis and Norma Jean Creech of Joplin were married in 1947, and they had two children, a daughter, Pamela, and a son, Mark. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, a brother, and his wives, Norma Jean in 1986, Janet in 1988, and Dortha Ahlerich in 2006.

Lewis is survived by his wife Shirley, whom he married in 2007; his daughter Pamela Gilbreath of Tucson, AZ; his son Mark Gilbreath and wife, Guillermina of Nogales, AZ; grandson Lewis R. and wife, Flo, and great grandson Bruce; granddaughter Sarah and great grandchildren, Paulina and Paul; stepson Brian Ellis; stepdaughters, Kelly Hart and her daughter Bailey; Jackie LaRue and her children, Miranda, Timmy, and Aaron. Lewis is also survived by stepchildren, Stan and Molly Ahlerich; grandchildren, Nick Ahlerich and wife, Andrea, Lexy Goyer and husband, Jason; and great grandchildren, Gracie and Paxton Goyer.

Memorial services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Thursday, March 28, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church in Winfield. Inurnment was held at Highland Cemetery in Winfield. Miles Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials have been established in Lewis' name for First United Methodist Church Endowment Fund and Southwestern College Endowment Scholarship Fund. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.