Alice Dibble

With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, Alice Dibble made a significant impact in the lives of all who were near. She was a woman of faith who used her strong values as the compass she used to direct her steps. Although she experienced so many of the best things that life has to offer, there was nothing that made Alice more proud than witnessing her family tree blossom to include numerous branches of loved ones she adored. Life will never be the same without her here, but she leaves behind a timeless legacy that her loved ones will proudly carry on in her footsteps.

The 1930s were some of the most trying years we have faced as a nation as the entire decade was cloaked in the hardship of the Great Depression. Jobs became few and far between, which drove the unemployment rate to over 25%. Things only became more stressed with a drought that crippled the already strained agricultural industry for nearly two years during this time. Despite the hardship around them, Gerald and Florence (Etheridge) Buckallew were able to shift their focus to an exciting time in their own lives as they announced the birth of the baby girl they named Alice M. on December 5, 1935, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She became the oldest of four children as her younger siblings, Beverly and the twins, Jack and Joe, later came along. To support their family, Alice’s mom worked for a local bakery and Alice also helped wait on tables to also support the family. She attended local schools and went on to graduate from Vicksburg High School as part of the first class at the new building. She graduated as the valedictorian of her class.

Not to be forgotten during her years in high school was her blossoming romance with the man who would forever hold the key to her heart. His name was Richard Dibble, and they had grown up together as their families knew one another for years. They were married, and together they raised five children, Nellie, Tim, Mark, Todd, and Lisa. There was nothing Alice treasured more than caring for her home and family. Her skills in the kitchen were fantastic, and among her family’s favorite things were her cabbage rolls, chocolate chip cookies, and homemade noodles. Some of their most memorable moments were spent camping as Richard had time off. Many of their later years were spent living in the home that Richard built on Barton Lake. She was so proud of their home and loved lakeside living. An amazing hostess, Alice loved having people out at the lake. Later in life she was filled with unspeakable joy to become a grandmother. Alice had a few hobbies, spending time with her family was pretty much the only thing she wanted to do.

Throughout her life Alice was one to keep busy. She spent some time working as a legal secretary and also as an office manager for a doctor’s office at one time. In addition, Alice worked as an office manager for South County Community Service. For years she was a devoted member of Vicksburg United Methodist Church. Alice liked trips to the casino with her sister-in-law, Joyce Heath. During Alice’s later years, she and Joyce spent a lot of time together and were the best of friends. As her family and friends can attest, Alice was a huge fan of Garth Brooks. On one occasion she went to one of his concerts and ended up having it be the experience of a lifetime when she ended up bumping into him - literally. Alice had wandered off in search of a bathroom and was stopped by a gentleman who was asking if he could help her with something. Imagine her surprise when she discovered that it was Garth himself! In her downtime, Alice liked playing solitaire on the computer.

All who knew Alice M. Dibble would agree that there was no one quite like her. She was determined and tenacious with just the right amount of spunk mixed and a zest for life that was easy to see. A woman of faith who was deeply devoted to her family and friends, Alice was the sort of person who was willing to do whatever she could for others. Deeply loved, she will be forever missed.

Alice M. Dibble, of Vicksburg passed away with her family by her side on Thursday, January 11, 2018 at the age 82. Alice’s family includes her children: Rev. Tim (Fiona) Dibble, of West Branch and Todd (Nancy) Dibble of Climax; 10 grandchildren; five great grandchildren; brother: Jack (Cynda) Buckallew, of Three Rivers; son-in-law: Brian Pierson, of Vicksburg; brother-in-law: Harry Schuring, of TX; several nieces and nephews. Alice was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; children: Nellie Pierson, Mark Dibble, and Lisa Dibble; siblings: Beverly Schuring, and Joe Buckallew. The family will receive friends on Monday from 4-7 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, 409 S. Main, Vicksburg (269-649-1697). A funeral service will be held on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Vicksburg United Methodist Church. Burial at Vicksburg Cemetery. Please visit Alice’s webpage at www.lifestorynet.com where you can sign the guestbook, and share a memory with the family. In lieu of flowers the family would request that you make a contribution to Grace Hospice and/or the Vicksburg United Methodist Church.