John M. Hebert

John M. Hebert, age 74, of Chesterfield Township died June 18, 2013 at his home. John is survived by his loving wife JoAnn; daughters Colleen (Randy) Hartshorn of Idaho and Valerie Hebert of Washington; sons Bruce (Anezi) Bakken of Bloomfield Township and Sean Bakken of Algonac; 10 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; brother William Hebert of Washington; brother-in-law David (Jean) Mehrer of Iowa; sisters-in-law June Hintz of North Dakota and Carolyn “Little Sis” Hebert of Washington; and many extended family members. Mr. Hebert was a U.S. Army veteran and served two tours in Germany, one tour in Vietnam and one tour in Thailand. He retired at a Lt. Col. From the U.S. Army Reserves. In 1979 he was employed by the U.S. Tank Automotive Command in Warren until retirement in 1993. Shortly thereafter he worked at the Chesterfield Township Library until his time of death, although he didn’t consider it a job, but a privilege. Mr. Hebert loved the printed word and had many short stories published in national magazines. From 1984 to June 2013 he wrote a weekly column for The Voice newspapers based in New Baltimore. His column won a National Press Association Award and Michigan Press Association Awards. One of his many hobbies was close-up magic and he was a 25-year member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. He also was an avid geocacher and a member of the Michigan Geocaching Organization. He had found over 4,000 caches, including some overseas. He also belonged to a local ham radio club and was a member of the American Radio Relay League and Macomb County Amateur Radio Public Service Corp. Emergency Team. A voracious reader, Mr. Hebert was known to read several books at a time and had an extensive library of his own. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, June 22, 2013 at 10:30 am at Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church, 31100 23 Mile Rd., Chesterfield Township, MI 48047. Rev. David Ulm will be officiating the service. Arrangements were placed in the care of Resurrection Funeral Home in Clinton Township. Memorials are appreciated to USO Operation Enduring Care, P.O. Box 96860, Washington DC 20077-7677 or a charity of donor’s choice.