John Charles Labyak

ONTONAGON, Mich. — John Charles Labyak, 75, of Ontonagon, passed away on May 9, 2016, at Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital.

John was born in Ashland, Wis., to Harold S. Labyak and Louise M. (Peltier) Labyak on Sept. 19, 1940. He graduated from Ontonagon Area Schools in 1958. He attended Suomi College and Northern Michigan University.

He married Nancy T. Stripe on Sept. 4, 1965, at Holy Family Catholic Church and they celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2015. After taking over his father’s Ford dealership, Labyak Motor Sales, he ran it until 1980 and sold the building to Courtesy Chevrolet. He purchased a farm on Woodspur Road in 1964 and farmed until his passing. He loved nothing more than to give young farmers advice.

He served on several boards, including the Gogebic-Ontonagon Community Action Agency, St. Vincent DePaul Society and the Ontonagon Township Board of Review. He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. John enjoyed skiing, loved to watch his grandchildren play sports and was an avid hockey fan. He will be remembered for his story telling, jokes and teasing of his grandchildren.

John is survived by wife, Nancy Labyak; children, Jon (Cheryl) Labyak, of Ontonagon, David (Elissa) Labyak, of Hancock, Robert (Katie) Labyak, of Ishpeming, and Betsy (Dave) Guilbault, of Greenland; siblings, Dawn Willman, of Traverse City, and Chuck (Jan) Labyak, of Seattle, Wash .; and grandchildren, Shelby (Jesse) Anderson, Brady Guilbault, Madison, Marissa and Evan Labyak, Jenny and Georgia Labyak, Devin, Bryce and Brenna Labyak, and Madalynn and Clara Olivier.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Louise Labyak.

Rosary will be at 9:30 a.m., visitation from 10 to 11 a.m., and service to follow on Thursday, May 12, 2016, at Holy Family Catholic Church, with Father Michael Jacobus officiating. Burial will follow at the Holy Family Catholic Cemetery. Arrangements are being made by Cane Funeral Home.

Memorials may be given to St. Vincent DePaul Society.