Vernon D. "Monk" Gilbreath, 85, of Collinsville, born Aug. 18, 1927, in East St. Louis, Ill., died at 1:34 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012, at his residence.

Mr. Gilbreath was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Collinsville, Ill., and a former member of the Moose Lodge No. 4 in East St. Louis, Ill. His grandchildren were his pride and joy, with whom he enjoyed numerous sports activities. He was also an avid Cardinals fan. He was known by many non family members as "Grandpa." He had served in the US Navy during World War II.

Vernon was preceded in death by his wife, Lois Mae, nee Staudinger, Gilbreath, whom he married on March 7, 1964; his parents, Roy and Nellie, nee Stammer, Gilbreath; brothers and sisters, Glen (Edith) Gilbreath, Arthur (Evelyn) Gilbreath, Dorothy Havelin, Delores (Paul) Garcia and Leroy Gilbreath; and a brother-in-law, Leonard Peterson.

Surviving are his daughters, Carol (Paul) Crittenden-Proffitt of Collinsville, Ill., Debby (Gary) Seneczyn of O'Fallon, Ill., and Patricia Briggs of Collinsville, Ill.; sisters and brother, Doris Borgmann of St. Louis, Mo., Marie Peterson of Collinsville, Ill. and Robert (Marilyn) Gilbreath of Texas; sister-in-law, Nancy Gilbreath of Belleville, Ill.; grandchildren, Elliott and Hannah Proffitt, Nathaniel and Crystal Seneczyn and Danny and Matthew (Heather) Briggs; and great-grandchildren, Landon and Brooks Briggs.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois or Holy Cross Lutheran Church. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.herrfuneral.com.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012, at Herr Funeral Home in Collinsville, Ill.

Funeral: Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 31, 2012, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Collinsville, Ill., with the Rev. Fred Kraemer officiating. Interment will be in Lake View Cemetery in Fairview Heights, Ill.