John Lubbers

John E. Lubbers, age 86, of Sheboygan, died peacefully in his sleep Tuesday March 10, 2015 at Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice in the presence of his wife Pat and family. The son of the late Arthur and Kathryn Lubbers, John was born May 12, 1928 in Cedar Grove, WI. He attended Sheboygan public schools graduating from North High School in 1946. Upon graduation, he served our country in the US Army of Occupation of Japan. After his Army discharge in 1948, John attended Bradley University in Peoria, IL then transferred to the University of Wisconsin at Madison where in 1952 he graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work. His career in social work spanned 36 years and included Social Service's Directorship's in Juneau, Waupaca, Washington and Sheboygan Counties. John retired from Sheboygan County in 1988 and enjoyed a long and active retirement filled with travel, golfing, hunting, fishing, family and friends. On May 16th, 1953 John was united in marriage to Patricia E Grube at Wesley Methodist Church. Over their 62 years together they first resided in Sheboygan, then Mauston, Waupaca, West Bend and again Sheboygan raising their four children along the way. John was a member of St. Luke United Methodist Church serving faithfully for many years. He was an Elks Life Member at the Elks Lodge 299 in Sheboygan and belonged to the Elks National Foundation. He volunteered for the Salvation Army, Red Cross and the Historical Society. "Big John" was greatly loved and admired by his friends and family for his kindness and humor. He was devoted to his wife, children and grandchildren. John was an avid golfer with a membership at Sheboygan Town & Country Golf Course since 1971. He loved fishing, was a crack shot at deer hunting, loved the outdoors and the stars at night. He taught his children and grandchildren the constellations while camping or at his cabin in Northern Wisconsin. John and "Patty" played cribbage daily with John scoring the perfect cribbage hand of 29 on one occasion. Survivors include his Wife Patricia Lubbers (Grube) of Sheboygan; Daughters: Anne Lubbers of Danville, KY; Jane Michalski (Frank) of Chicago, IL; Julie Lubbers of Wauwatosa, WI; Son: John Lubbers (Cindy) of Green Bay, WI; Brother: Robert Lubbers (Susan) of Billings, MT; Sister: Jean Nardelli of New York, NY; Grandsons: Jordan and Garrett Lubbers; Ray and Matthew Michalski. John was preceded in death by his parents and Brothers: Arthur, William and Owen; Sisters: Elaine Lubbers and Marcia Leedom. Thank you to all the staff at the following facilities for their comfort, care and compassion given to John and his family; Lombardi Cancer Clinic, Aurora Sheboygan Memorial Medical Center, Sheboygan Senior Community Beach Health Care , Orange Cross Ambulance and Sharon S. Richardson Hospice. The Elks Lodge #299 will conduct a Memorial Service on Saturday, March 21, 2015 at 12 Noon at St. Luke United Methodist Church followed by a Memorial Service and Celebration of John's life by Rev. Ric Olson, Pastor of St. Luke, as officiant. A time of visitation and support will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. The Elks Lodge #299 Memorial Service will precede the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in John's memory to St. Luke United Methodist Church, The Salvation Army or Meals on Wheels.