Obituary of Elwyn Francis Labert
Elwyn Francis Labert was born on the family farm in Dundee, Michigan on June 9, 1940. He was the youngest of five boys from the union of Joseph F. and Marian U. (Cilley) Labert. Ellie graduated from Dundee High School with the Class of 1958. On June 5, 1965 he wed Betty Jean Justice at the Assembly of God Church in Dundee. The couple were blessed with three children.
Ellie was employed as a truck driver at Preston Trucking for thirty-three years, serving as a representative and shop steward for the Teamsters Union, before retiring in 1998. He also proudly carried on the family tradition of farming with his own forty-acre parcel growing corn, soybeans, and wheat. He could often be found puttering around his barn.
Ellie was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Loyal Order of Moose, and Fraternal Order of Eagles. He had a deep appreciation for the great outdoors and enjoyed trail riding, fishing, and deer hunting in Northern Michigan every year. He also traveled to Montana. He loved to hunt and fish there with his brother and nephews. He successfully hunted antelope, mule deer, elk and a black bear.
Snowbirds for many years, Ellie and his wife headed south to their residence in Belleview, Florida as soon as the cold weather arrived. He would always buy a 100lb. bag of pecans for the winter, which he enjoyed shelling, to share with friends. During the Christmas season, Ellie dressed as Santa Claus alongside his wife as Mrs. Claus to entertain children at the Moose Lodge. He also volunteered to play jolly ol’ St. Nick for a motorcycle club’s annual toy fundraiser riding a trike motorcycle in a parade around Ocala, Florida. Ellie enjoyed small talk with anyone. He would strike up a conversation with anyone, looking to find connections among people he knew.
Elwyn Francis Labert, age 82, of Dundee, Michigan passed away peacefully at home on Sunday; July 10, 2022. His passing was preceded by his parents and three brothers: Joseph Cler Labert, Marvin Labert, and Edwin Labert.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife of fifty-seven years: Betty Labert; children: Phillip (Aida) Labert, Sandy (Gregory) Sargent, and Paul (April) Labert; “adopted” daughter: Karen (Andreas) Student-Hehl who came to live with the Labert family as an exchange student from Germany in 1986; nine grandchildren: Phillip Labert, Brendan Labert, Gregory Sargent Jr., Michelle Sargent, William Sargent, Jacob Sargent, Thomas Sargent, Gabriel Labert, Christine Rios Matias, and Katharina Hehl; four great-grandchildren: Audrey, Nolan, Jacob, and Xavier; and a brother: John (Bernice) Labert.
Friends may gather on Wednesday; July 13, 2022 from 5:30 until 8:00 p.m. at Merkle Funeral Service, Dundee; 297 Tecumseh Street, Dundee, Michigan 48131 (734) 529-3156. Elwyn will lie in state from 10:00 a.m. until a Worship Service Celebrating his Life at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday; July 14, 2022 at Dundee United Methodist Church; 645 Franklin Street, Dundee, Michigan 48131. Procession will follow to Maple Grove Cemetery in Dundee.
For those desiring memorial contributions in Elwyn's name can be made to Alzheimer's Association or Dundee United Methodist Church.
Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com.