Gary L. Sibert, Sr. passed away in Winchester, Virginia on Sunday, June 21, 2026. Born August 17, 1940, to John William Sibert and Alice Derflinger Sibert, he was their only child. On June 27, 1980, he married Elizabeth “Betsy” Carper Sibert in Winchester.

While attending high school, he worked at Lovett’s Shoe Store and served as an apprentice at Jones Funeral Home. He graduated from James Wood High School (1960) and the College of Mortuary Science in Cincinnati, Ohio (1964). Gary then became a licensed funeral director and mortician. He also earned certification in eye enucleation through the Lion’s Club in Charlottesville. In 1968 he moved to Pulaski, Virginia, to manage a funeral home there with the option to buy it. He later returned to Winchester and rejoined Jones Funeral Home, where he worked for 44 years before continuing part-time at Omps Funeral Home and Stover’s Funeral Home in Strasburg. He drove the Winchester school bus for 11 years and was honored in 2019 for 55 years of service at the Virginia Funeral Directors Convention.

A committed community member, Gary received the Outstanding Kiwanian of the Year award in 1968 and three Legion of Honor Awards from the Winchester Kiwanis Club. He served as past president of the Winchester Jaycees (Speak Up Award) and the Winchester Cancer Society. He was a member of the Virginia Funeral Directors Association, Virginia Disaster Team, Jeepster Overlanders Club, Winchester Moose Lodge 1283, and Winchester Medical Center Auxiliary. Gary participated in the Medical Center Follies and was a faithful member of First Baptist Church, where he served as past deacon and chancel choir member. He and Betsy were named Handley High School Outstanding Band Boosters (1999–2000).

Gary and Betsy hosted 13 exchange students from Spain, Sweden, Colombia, and Brazil and served as foster parents to seven children. He had a passion for restoring old cars and repairing anything. In 2021 he published his memoir, Do You Remember, about growing up in Winchester. Despite battling heart disease since age 41, he continued working until his final years. Gary was known for helping anyone in need, his kindness, and his meticulous care as a funeral director. He was a one-in-a-million kind of guy and will be deeply missed.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth “Betsy” Carper Sibert; his children, Gary Lee Sibert, Jr. (Kim), Thomas L. Sibert, Sr., and Jayden Sibert (Lindsay); his stepchildren, Genae Sine Russell and Anthony “Tony” Sine (Christina); his grandchildren, Athena Sibert Frank (Korie), John Sibert (Jaczetl), Jessie Sibert Zaman (Ali), Thomas Sibert, Jr. (Aaliyah), Lauren Sibert, Tanner Sine (Megan), and Trae Sine (Jaiden); his great-grandchildren, Ben, Maya, Taylor, Kayleigh, Kyn’Leigh, Tessa, Jessa, Aysha, Charlize, Eleanor, Eloise; and his beloved pets, Jazz, Ajay, and Mia.

A visitation will be held for Gary on Sunday, June 28, 2026, from 1:30pm to 3pm with a service to be conducted at 3pm all held at First Baptist Church. To view a livestream of Gary’s service as well as other aspects of his life, visit GarySibert.com. Officiating will be Rev. Dr. Kristin Adkins Whitesides, Rev. Ethan Hughes, and Rev. George H. Fletcher. A time of food and fellowship will be held in Hoover Hall at the church following his service. Entombment will be private at Shenandoah Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 205 West Piccadilly Street, Winchester, VA 22601, Winchester SPCA, 111 Featherbed Lane, Winchester, VA 22601, Esther Boyd Animal Center, 161 Fort Collier Road, Winchester, VA 22603, or any other animal rescue.