John Henry Labert

John Henry Labert passed away at home in Wellsville, Kansas on June 7, 2023 at the age of 86.  John was born August 19, 1936 on the family farm in Dundee, Michigan to Joseph Frank and Marian Ursella (Cilley) Labert.

John attended Reynolds School, a one room country school across the road from the family dairy farm.  In his youth John helped milk cows, was a 4-H member winning ribbons for heifer calves, vegetables and flowers.  At the county fair he was especially proud of his gladiola projects,  he cross pollinated to get the desired colors.  John graduated from Dundee High School in 1954.  He attended Michigan State College (now Michigan State University) on a scholarship for a one year Ag program.  He continued to help out on the family farm and worked at a local lumber yard. 

On January 21, 1956 John was united in marriage to Berniece Kay Steed at the Carleton Michigan United Methodist Church.  To this union 5 children were born.

In 1959 John began working at the new Dundee Cement Plant.  He worked there for 10 years and then worked on construction of the Enrico Fermi Plant for Detroit Edison.  John and Berniece enjoyed participating in bowling league, fishing and taking family trips to the cabin in northern Michigan.  John also had a small farm.  In 1972 the family moved to a farm near Orchard, Iowa where he could farm full time.  John enjoyed selling seed corn as he met many people and made lots of friends.  He enjoyed visiting with others and could talk with anyone!     

John was a member of the Floyd Lions Club, an active member of the United Methodist Church, and an avid woodworker.  He made many treasured pieces for his children and grandchildren.  John and Berniece retired in 2001 and moved to Arkansas where they tended a large yard and garden.  John enjoyed playing games, cards and golfing with family and friends but most especially his grandsons. John was a farmer to the end. He was determined and was successful at getting one more crop in and the garden in Wellsville was established,  planted and was growing before his death. 

John was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Marian, his in-laws Charles and Althea Steed, his 4 brothers and their wives, Joseph and Lola Labert, Edwin and Ardella Labert, Marvin and Virginia Labert, Elwyn and Betty Labert, Daughter, Sharon Nuehring in 2017 and son-in-law Dennis Nuehring in 1985.  

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 67 years, Berniece Labert of Wellsville, KS, children, Donna (Paul) Jennings of Osage, IA, John M Labert of Mountain View, AR, Cheryl (Mark) Hemann of Osage, IA, and Rebecca Johnson of Rockdale, TX, 11 grandchildren, 3 step grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, 2 step great grandchildren and 2 great great step grandchildren.

There will be a private gathering of immediate family on July 29th in Wellsville, Kansas. 

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