Berkley Wesley Sibley

Berkley Wesley Sibley
CELEBRATION OF LIFE
Berkley Wesley Sibley was born on April 28, 1916 in Arnett, Oklahoma to
Emma Branstetter and Ray Wesley Sibley. He was raised on a dairy farm
just outside of Arnett. He graduated from high school in 1935, then
traveled to Oregon for work before being drafted into the Army in 1940. He was stationed in Las Vegas, Nevada before being one of the original troops sent to Marana Air Base. This began his lifelong passion for airplanes. He was charged with establishing Marana Air Base, training pilots and maintaining a huge stable of planes. It was while stationed at Marana Air Base that he met the love of his life, Marguerite Kathyrn Ralston, "Tootsie" to her family and friends. They married in Coolidge, Arizona on April 2, 1944 and just celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary. The first of three children was born in May 1945, Sharen.
Their second child, also a daughter, Gayle was born in July 1946. And finally a son, Wesley Ray Sibley was born in December 1950 (deceased 1979). After leaving the military, Berkley began working with Marguerite’s Dad, Doc Ralston, at Eloy Machine Works. As Doc’s health began to fade Berkley took over the day to day operations of Eloy Machine Works and eventually bought the business. Berkley worked long days and nights at the farm repair business and it continued to prosper. Berkley, now Sib to friends and family, was an active citizen in the small community of Eloy. He was an active member of The Eloy
Lions Club. Also the Casa Grande Elks Club, 32nd Masons and Eastern Star. He also served two terms on the Eloy City Council. In 1999 he was designated Eloy Grand Marshal of the Eloy Parade.
Sib was always passionate about airplanes and bought and sold many over the course of his life. Sib sold Eloy Machine Works in 1985 and retired. He and Marguerite sold their home in Eloy in 1981 after 30 years and built a new home in Casa Grande, where they have lived for 36 years.
He and Marguerite have four grandchildren, Jeff Rogers, Ryan Rogers, Brad Sibley and Tyler Sibley. They also have nine great-grandchildren.
Donations are welcomed at The Valley Humane Society, 15699 W. Aniceto Rd., Casa Grande, Arizona 85193 or The Compassus Hospice and Pallative Care, 1675 Monument Plaza Circle, Casa Grande, Arizona 85122, in lieu of flowers.A Celebration of Life is scheduled at J. Warren Funeral
Services, Cole & Maud, The Gardens Chapel for Sunday, November 5th at 2 p.m.