JOHN HULBERT WEIBLE

John Hulbert Weible, 96, of Alpena, went home to be with his Lord on May 16, 2024. He was born in Standish, Michigan on Nov. 12, 1927 to the late James Hazel (Halcro) Weible. On Feb. 11, 1950, he married his friend and life partner, Doris Dillon, of Whittemore, Michigan, and they enjoyed life together for 70 years.

John (or “Jack,” as he was known as) was an adventurous and outgoing individual who loved life. He was, by nature, a happy, optimistic person who had a notorious habit of whistling. From early morning to evening, he would whistle little tunes to himself — a giveaway to anyone who was looking for him. As a boy, he loved adventures and would spend off-school time with friends fishing on the Rifle River and building forts and rafts. He would often tell of his adventures, leaving home early in the morning with a few potatoes in his pocket that he and friends would roast in the coals of a campfire and eat for lunch.

At 17 years of age, he enlisted in the Navy Seabees and served in Bermuda, helping to build air strips for World War II aircraft. He suffered a serious injury on the job and was honorably discharged at the age of 19. He returned to his hometown and after his recovery, he started on his next adventure, gold mining in Alaska. Over his lifetime, he returned to Alaska several times with his wife and family, retracing his steps and recalling his experiences.

Upon his return home from Alaska, John went to work for Consumers Power Co. as a linesman. John contracted polio when he was in his 20s. He didn’t let the effects of the disease hamper his life and he made the necessary changes to continue his zest for life. He continued working for Consumers Power Co. in Tawas City, Michigan for over 30 years.

John Hulbert Weible

John was an avid fisherman and for several years he traveled into Canada with a group of friends who portaged into pristine lakes to get their fill of camping and fishing. He also loved to hunt and would recall hunting adventures in the Tawas area with his good friend, Judge William McCready and his two sons, Keith and Kenneth. Over his lifetime, John’s talents included woodworking and carpentry, which inspired him to build six homes. He was often found in his garage, tinkering with his cars or restoring his antique Model A.

Family was very important to John, and he passed on his sense of adventure to his two daughters, Pamela Sue Weible and Julie (James) Robarge. As a young family, they would often go camping in the summers, traveling to many national parks as far west as Wyoming, south to Florida, and along the northeast coast to the New England states. As adults, he helped his daughters remodel homes and repair vehicles. His youngest daughter, Julie, was a lifelong buddy of his for building projects and was his favorite fishing buddy.

Throughout their life together, he and Doris enjoyed traveling. In addition to camping across the U.S. and Canada, they also traveled to Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, England, and Scotland. John’s grandfather (Halcro) immigrated from Scotland as a young man and some of John’s best memories were traveling to Scotland where he extensively researched his family history from the Orkney Islands. He eventually met a cousin there who lived in Kirkwall. They became friends and over the years reconnected on subsequent visits. John was a proud Scotsman and was even more proud of his ancestral homestead which he discovered. Proudly displayed in his home was a painting of his ancestral homestead as well as a replica of the family crest, which hung in the cathedral in Kirkwall.

He loved serving his church as a layperson, no matter where he lived. He was generous with his time, often helping friends remodel homes including rewiring projects. When he wintered in Florida, he volunteered his time driving individuals to doctor appointments.

After retirement, he and Doris moved to Mancelona, Michigan, where they spent many years living on Big Twin Lake. John loved his two grandsons, Joel Reeves and Jameson Robarge, who he taught to fish and carry on his sense of adventure. After many happy years residing in Mancelona, John and Doris moved to Traverse City, where they spent their remaining years.

Upon the death of his wife, John moved to Alpena, Michigan, to be near hi daughter and her family. He often spoke of Alpena as “the best place to live.” John was dearly loved by his children and grandsons. When asked how he wanted to be remembered, he said, “I loved God, I loved my family, and I loved the U.S.A.”

John was preceded in death by his daughter Pamela and his wife Doris. He is survived by his daughter Julie (James) Robarge of Ossineke, Michigan and his grandsons, Joel (Marly) Reeves of Escanaba, Michigan, and Jameson (Nichole) Robarge, of Alpena, Michigan.

A memorial service to celebrate John’s life will be held on Friday, June 21, at 11 a.m. at New Life Christian Fellowship in Alpena, Michigan. Memorials in John’s honor can be given to New Life Christian Fellowship.