Herbert John Gill died peacefully on Wednesday, March 14th 2012 in New Port Richey, Florida after a long illness. A devoted husband, father and grandfather, Herb committed himself to a lifetime of service to family, friends, community and country. Born on January 17th 1919 to Herbert and Minnie Gill of Trenton, NJ, Mr. Gill was working in a military aircraft factory when World War II broke out. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps immediately after the attack on Pearl Harbor and went to England as a top turret gunner and flight engineer on a B-17 bomber. During thirty combat missions, he shot down two enemy fighters, cared for wounded fellow crew members and twice kicked jammed bombs out of the aircraft's bomb-bay. For his service, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross as well as the Air Medal with six oak leaf clusters. Following his military service, he worked as a U.S. civilian employee at Ft. Dix, gained a bachelor's degree at Rutgers University, and spent many years with the Nationwide Insurance in New Jersey before retiring to Florida. Mr. Gill was an honored member of the Masonic Order, achieving the rank of Master Mason, a founding member of the Crosswicks Men's Chorus and a longtime member of the Crosswicks United Methodist Church.

Herb was married to Barbara Ann Grosskreuz of Crosswicks, NJ for fifty-two wonderful years from 1950 until his wife's passing in 2002. He is survived by his two sons and their respective families; Greg of Crosswicks, NJ, with his wife Beth, their two daughters Leslie and Robin and their son James; and John (Jack) of Alexandria, Virginia, his spouse Anne Rieman, and their sons Grant and Hunter. His extended family includes six nieces and a nephew.  Herb's friends and family will remember him for his courtesy, unfailing generosity and involvement in the local community and will cherish their memories of his thoughtfulness, kindness and willingness to help his fellow man.

A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday April 21st at 11AM at the Crosswicks United Methodist Church. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Crosswicks United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 303, Crosswicks, NJ 08515. [http://www.crosswicksumc.org