John “Jack” Francis Kibble

John “Jack” Francis Kibble, age 78, of Sugar Island, Mich. peacefully passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021. He was born on October 20, 1943, in Sault Ste. Marie. Jack was the oldest child of William John and Charlotte (Harrington) Kibble.

Jack attended Sault Area High School, graduating in 1962. After finishing high school, Jack went on to serve in the Army, during the Vietnam era, from 1963-1967. He obtained a B.A. in Sociology from Lake Superior State University, graduating in 1976. Jack served as Sault Tribe’s education division director for 26 years. He was also Director of the Native American Center for students at LSSU for nine years. During his time there, Jack published five research papers on Native American student academics, success rates and retention. Helping Native American students, from the head start and early head start level all the way through vocational and university degrees, was his life’s work. Jack was retired for 16 years but kept busy by serving on various boards, including the EUP Transportation Authority, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Alternative Education, Bay Mills Community College, the Historical Society and the Sugar Island Ambulance Association. He sat on the Department of Health and Human Services Board of Directors for the past 14 years. Jack was an active member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. He loved to golf and ride his motorcycle. Jack married Holly (Corbiere) Kibble on April 12, 1990. They were married for 31 years. Jack enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Jack is survived by his wife Holly; brother: Russell Kibble of Cedarville, Mich.; father-in-law: Emery Corbiere of Sugar Island, Mich.; sisters-in-law: Hope (Bruce) Schlehuber of Moran, Mich., Lorali (Larry) Swick of Flat Rock, Mich.; brothers-in-law: Donald (Lisa) Corbiere of Sugar Island, Mich., Emery (Sharon) Corbiere of Wakeman, Ohio; children: Cassandra Kibble of Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., John Kibble of Kincheloe, Mich., Brian Kibble, Jacob (Rachel) Green of Kincheloe, Mich. and Jessica (Joey Gleason) Green of Marquette, Mich.; grandchildren: Nick (Rachel) Kibble, Landon Kibble, Alexis Blattner, Aurora and Aidan Corbiere, Bailey McKechnie, Michaela Quinn, Brian Kibble, Joshua and Jameson Green and Desmond Gleason; and seven great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents: William John and Charlotte Kibble; sister: Linda Neal; brother: Patrick Kibble; and mother-in-law: Donna Corbiere.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 7, 2021, from 1-3 p.m. at the Niigaanagiizhik Ceremonial Building in Sault Ste. Marie. Traditional services will follow visitation at 3 p.m. Clark Hovie Galer Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.

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