Melvin Hibbets

Funeral services for Col. Melvin L. Hibbets age 92 of Enid will be 3 pm Thursday, March 14, 2013 at Ladusau-Evans Chapel with Rev. Alan Seibel officiating. Burial will follow in the Enid Cemetery under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home.

He was born in Morrison, OK on June 9, 1920 to Notie V. and Charles T. Hibbets and passed away Monday, March 11, 2013 at Integris Bass Baptist Hospital. In 1925, he moved with parents to Enid, OK. He was predeceased by his mother and father, his wife Helen R. Hibbets, his son Charles Douglas and two siblings, Harold Lewis Hibbets and Wilma Lee Mangus. He attended school in Enid graduating from Enid High School with the class of 1938. His attendance at Oklahoma A & M on a track scholarship was interrupted on September 16, 1940 by the mobilization of the local National Guard Army units to active duty. He was a veteran of WW ll and attained the rank of Lt. Colonel. His unit was involved in over 500 actual combat days, participating in nine campaigns including Sicily, Naples-Foggi, Anzio, Rome-Arno, southern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, Bastogne and Central Europe.

He was awarded a Battlefield Commission and was the recipient of the Silver Star, the Soldiers Medal and two Bronze Stars of Valor. He was a life member of the National Order of Battlefield Commissions, The Anzio Beachhead Veterans Association of WWII, The Washington Artillery Veterans Association, The Military Officers of America Assn., The U.S. Field Artillery Assn., The National Rifle Assn., and the U. S. Power Squadron’s. He was employed in the Grain Industry for forty five years before retiring in management of several inland and coastal export grain elevators. He and his wife lived in New Orleans for 42 years. After enduring numerous hurricanes including severe damage to their home by Hurricane Katrina, they relocated to Enid, Ok his home state and city.

Col. Hibbets is survived by his daughter Cary J. Haro of New Orleans, LA, two sisters Elsie Mae Rowlan of Oklahoma City, Jo Ann Reim of Phoenix, AZ., several nieces and nephews including Lewis Hibbets and wife Marlene, Barry Hibbets and wife Joan, and Donna Evans and husband Chuck all of Enid.