Eric Matthew Gilbert

With profound sadness we announce the passing of a great man with a big heart: Eric Matthew Gilbert, who passed away in his home on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.

Born to John and Sharon Gilbert October 20, 1972, in Idaho Falls, ID. He was always inquisitive and headstrong; he loved to find out how anything and everything under the sun worked. However, before completing one project, he would move on to the next. Sometimes, he would covertly reassemble his projects so they looked functional, only to have them fall apart upon first use. Of course, he would not be within sight when this would happen. The tools that he would use for these “dastardly deeds” would be his dad’s, which were not returned to their original places.

Eric’s dad was a long haul truck driver, during summer vacation Eric learned what it was like to work on a cold doc at four in the morning. His phrase “nothing like working on a cold doc at four in the morning” will echo in our minds forever.

He was an intelligent individual and loved working with numbers. Over the years, he became “a spreadsheet kind of guy,” who loved analysis. After graduating from Bonneville High School in 1990, he married Stacie Lynn Heston in July 1991. They were blessed with three amazing and wonderful children, Brody, Braeden and Sierra.

During his transition to adulthood, Eric joined the Air Force, serving from 1991 to 1995. He took his family to different duty stations all over the country; he reflected positively on his years of service. After his USAF discharge, he worked as an agricultural machinist for several years until suffering from an industrial accident, causing a third degree burn that required hospitalization.

His injury created further medical complications that left him physically disabled, and with a brain injury. For the last 22 years, as a disabled single individual, he redefined himself, and was redeemed by his Savior when he “turned his life over to Him.”

After this pivotal change, he focused his life on rehabilitation, and helping others rehabilitate in the process. He was an active advocate for the disabled community, working many years for Developmental Workshop Industries (DWI), as well as volunteering for Champ’s Heart and Civitan’s. His faith community, the Lutheran congregation, was his family. He loved, and he was greatly loved.

He is survived by his three children, Brody (Megan), Braeden and Sierra, and eight grandchildren. Eric’s mother and brother Adam and Bridget (sister in law), several extended family aunts, uncles and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his father John, his maternal grandparents Russell and Mildred Steele, and his paternal grandparents Steve and Shirley Gilbert.

He will be dearly missed by his family, friends, and the disabled community of Idaho Falls. He will be remembered by his love, selfless service, and diligence to make himself the person that he envisioned.

The family has established a GoFundMe to cover funeral cost, if interested in donating.