Joan M. Bilger

Joan M. Bilger, 76, a life-long Salisbury Center, New York resident, passed away peacefully on Sunday evening, November 3, 2019 at Upstate Medical University Hospital in Syracuse, New York with her loving family by her side.

She was born on January 31, 1943 in Salisbury Center, New York and was the daughter of the late, Acie and Reva (McArthur) Lamphere.  Joan attended a rural school in Salisbury Center. 

Joan was united in marriage to Richard F. Gilbert, Sr. on  July 15, 1961. Mr. Gilbert passed away on September 6, 1965.

On April 6, 1968, Joan was married to Raymond E. Bilger, Sr. at the Parsonage of the Salisbury United Methodist Church.  The couple were married for 46 years until his passing on January 1, 2015.

Joan was presently employed with Meals on Wheels for the Herkimer County Office of the Aging where she delivered meals to residents in the Little Falls and Dolgeville areas.  She made many friends at Parkside Courts in Dolgeville, New York throughout her 19 years of employment.  Joan was also presently employed as a crossing guard for Dolgeville Central School and the Dolgeville Police Department for the last 19 years and could be seen daily at the corner of Slawson Street and South Helmer Avenue.  She enjoyed dressing up for all the holidays and any school events for the children she cared for each day. 

She was of the Pentecostal faith and attended the Full Gospel Assembly of God Church in Salisbury Center, New York.  In her spare time she enjoyed cooking and baking, her careers with Meals on Wheels and being a crossing guard, as well as a challenging game of chicken and racing her children and grandchildren down back roads.  Joan will be deeply missed by her family, friends, special friends at Parkside Courts as well as the many children and parents who interacted with her daily through the school.

Joan is survived by her loving children, Richard F. Gilbert, Jr. and his wife, Donna of Little Falls, NY; Mark S. Gilbert, Sr. and his wife, Janice of Ivanhoe, VA; Raymond E. Bilger and his wife, Anna of Salisbury Center, NY; Shawn M. Bilger and his wife, Deb of Salisbury Center, NY; Scott A. Bilger and his wife, Angela of Salisbury Center, NY; Jules J. Bilger and his wife, Janet of Little Falls, NY; special grandchildren, Mackenzie Miller and her husband, Courtney, Adam Gilbert, Mark Gilbert, Jr. and his wife, Morgan, Justin Gilbert, Travis Gilbert, Joelle DeYoung, Jacob Bilger and his wife, Jennifer, RaeAnn Morrison and her husband, Aaron, Steven Bilger and his companion, Marie Calhoun, Tara Dager, Shawn Bilger, Jr. and his wife, Rachel, Shawna Bilger and her fiancee, B.J. Jowett, Danny Bilger, Anthony Bilger, Brady Bilger, Sabrina Hamilton, Sophia Bilger, Savannah Bilger, Serenity Bilger; cherished great-grandchildren, Emily, Collin, Ali, Bella, Chad, Haylee, Conner, Jaxson, Hayden, Olivia, Payton, Riley, Maximus, Carson, Peyton, Caiden, Landon, and Isaiah; sisters, Janet Congdon and her husband, Ernest of Little Falls, NY, Ealanor Kurosky, of TX, Wanda Johnson and her husband, Ed of Dolgeville, NY; a brother, Roger Lamphere of Little Falls, NY, and brother in law, Sidney Comstock of Salisbury Center, NY; many special nieces and nephews in which she adored; cousins; a special friend, Mary Ann Parisi of Dolgeville, NY; and many friends at Parkside Courts, Dolgeville, New York; and two canine companions, Sephera and Tanneka.

She was predeceased by two infant sons, Ronald Gilbert and Lawrence Gilbert, as well as her sister, Norma Comstock.

In keeping with Joan's wishes, there will be no funeral services.  Her family is being cared for by Miller-Plonka Funeral Home, 30 Wolf Street, Dolgeville, New York 13329. 

Please consider memorial contributions for Joan M. Bilger for the Full Gospel Assembly of God Church, 106 Plant Road, Salisbury Center, New York 13454.

To leave a message of sympathy for the Gilbert and Bilger Families, please visit www.millerplonkafuneralhome.comand sign the guest book.

"He built a mansion for Me."

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