40-year-old inactive bomb stolen

How anyone could steal a 350-pound World War II bomb from her front lawn still confounds Lucille Gibson. Her late husband, George "Hoot" Gibson, made it a lawn ornament more than 40 years ago, Gibson said as she stood at the corner of her property at Giant City Road and East Walnut Street pointing to the hole that once held the patriotic-painted bomb.

"It just breaks my heart," 86-year-old Gibson said. "It means more to me and my family than to anyone else." Judi Page, Gibson's daughter, said she noticed the five-foot-tall ornament was missing Tuesday, but they believe it was stolen during the weekend. The Gibsons are offering a $100 reward to anyone with information that leads to its return, no questions asked, Page said.

Gibson said she cannot understand how the red, white and blue bomb was stolen, because it was welded onto a large pipe in the ground. "I can't see what anyone would do with a bomb," Gibson said. "They can't use it as an ornament around here because it is too well known. "To me, it was more of a keepsake. It hurts that it is gone."

The family moved to Carbondale in 1958 and opened a machine and welding shop near their home. Page said her father collected many odd items over the years, including the fuselage of a 747 airplane.

She said many people, particularly older residents, consider the bomb a landmark. "It was known as 'Hoot' Gibson's corner," Page said. "My mom just wants her bomb back."