The Gibson siblings' reunion tradition

By Elise Franco

efranco@vindy.com

Canfield

With 17 years between the oldest and youngest of nine siblings, the whole Gibson clan agrees it’s the biannual family reunions that bring them closer than ever.

Larry Gibson, 71, of Goldsboro, N.C., said it was too difficult to see one another regularly because years ago they were spread all over the country.

“We were spread from California to Florida to Oklahoma to Michigan,” he said. “We thought it would be a good idea to get together and have everyone see each other.”

Larry said since the late 1980s all nine siblings and their immediate families have gathered every two years to catch up.

“Every time we get together we tell stories,” he said. “We’re probably closer now than we were growing up.”

This year’s reunion brought the clan back home to the Mahoning Valley, where six of the nine grew up. Alma Burns, 73, hosted the three days of festivities at her Sleepy Hollow Drive home in Canfield.

“We eat and reminisce,” Alma said. “Once we began the reunions we gelled into more of a family.”

She said the reunion is usually three days long to accommodate schedules and to allow all nine siblings to see each other at some point.

Sheryl Baringer, 66, of Austintown, is the youngest and said this reunion might be more important than any in years past.

Sheryl said due to older brother Ed Gibson’s ailing health, this could be the last year they all spend together.

“It’s one reason we got together now,” she said. “We wanted to all be here one last time because [Ed] may not be here next year.”

Sheryl said though Ed, 78, a retired Boardman firefighter, wasn’t feeling well, he made it to the reunion on May 16. He was admitted to the hospital the next day with pneumonia.

The other siblings are Trudy Grey, 83, of Willowick, Ohio; Alice Koller, 81, of Moscow, Ohio; George Gibson, 80, of Lawton, Ohio; Gene Gibson, 79, of Medina, Ohio; and Harry Gibson, 77, of Chelsea, Mich.

Larry said though the rest of his brothers and sisters are in good health, medical issues can arise at any time.

“We’re afraid [Ed] will start a domino effect because of our ages,” he said.

Sheryl said the important thing for them to remember is that they’re all here now.

“It’s really amazing because I have friends who come from large families and they’ve lost siblings,” she said. “You do start to realize how important family is.”