Gilbert Joseph Meneley

Gilbert Joseph Meneley Born April 10, 1918 in Gonzales, Texas to the late Sion and Josephine Meneley, He is preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Virginia Meneley and their daughter, Estelle Ilene Gersbach. Gilbert was a member of the 1st Presbyterian Church of Conway, and an active member of the Faulkner County Senior Citizen Center. Mr. Meneley was also a member of the 452 Bomb Group Association and the Distinguished Flying Cross "DFC" Society. Mr. Meneley made a career of the military, USAF, retiring as a regular Air Force Major. He was a B-17 pilot in World War II, flying 33 missions over Germany and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters. He also participated in the Berlin Airlift 1948-1949 flying approximately 50 missions into Templehoff Airdrome in Berlin. During the Korean War he flew Medivac missions between Korea and Japan. After retiring he became a trucker and a cattle farmer. Mr. Meneley is survived by his son Dr. G. Joseph Meneley (Sara), three grandchildren, April Gersbach Marek of Bartlett, Texas, Samuel Meneley of Fayetteville, Ark., and Sgt 1st Class Paul Meneley of Ft. Polk, La. Mr. Meneley is also survived by six great-grandchildren; Bernice Humphry of Conway, Ark. and numerous friends who meant a great deal to him. In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to be given to the Faulkner County Senior Citizen's Center or Arkansas Hospice. Mr. Meneley's funeral service will be at 1 p.m., Friday, July 1, 2011, in the Chapel of Roller-McNutt Funeral Home. Burial, with full military honors, will take place at 1 p.m., Wednesday, July 6, 2011, at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock. Arrangements are under the direction of Roller-McNutt Funeral Home (501) 327-7727. Online guestbook www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.