John Stebe Jr.

John M. Stebe, Jr., 82 passed away Sunday, January 19, 2020 at Charlevoix Area Hospital following a brief illness.

Surviving are his wife of 61 years, Catherine (Kiebel) Stebe; his three sons, Gary (Kelly); Robert (Sandy); and Scott (Laura), all of Charlevoix; his grandchildren Jaime (Clay) Soulliere, R. J. Stebe, Samantha (Hunter) Johnstone, Brennan Stebe (Lyndi Turpin), Cassidy (Braden) Knoop and Erin Stebe; great grandchildren Charlie and Ellie Soulliere, Addyson and Thomas Johnstone and Winston Knoop; his brother, Gerald (Lorraine) Stebe of Wyoming, Mi. and many nieces and nephews.

“Jack”, the son of John M. Stebe, Sr. and Lucille Cook, was born in Petoskey, raised in Charlevoix and graduated from CHS in 1955. On November 8, 1958 he married Catherine Kiebel of Petoskey. They made their home in Charlevoix where they raised their boys. Jack was employed at Freedman Artcraft, Charlevoix Lumber Company and operated Jack Stebe Custom Carpentry for over 30 years. He was actively engaged in his home community as a volunteer firefighter and one of the very first Charlevoix Township Fire Chiefs. Additionally, he participated in the Barnard Grange, Charlevoix Band Boosters, The Flywheelers Old Engine Show, the Buckley Old Engine Show, and upon retirement, was a tow operator for 20 years at Mt. McSauba. He was a member of the Barnard United Methodist Church.

Never one to be idle, Jack enjoyed ‘old time’ music and spent his time recording local musicians. He also liked to create memories by videotaping local events and activities and sharing the videos with those he taped. Jack’s passion was his family and he especially enjoyed time spent with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. One of his most endearing qualities was his genuine interest in others and loved to chat with anyone young and old. His quick wit will be missed by all who knew him.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Buckley Old Engine Show Scholarship Fund, c/o Ron Decker, NWMETC, 16585 230th Ave, Big Rapids, Mi, 49307 or to the Barnard United Methodist Church, 15978 Klooster Rd., Charlevoix, Mi 49720.

No services will be held at this time.

Arrangements are in the care of the Charlevoix Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes. Sign his online guestbook www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com