1918-2007

Visitation will be today, April 26, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., at the Covell Funeral Home in Traverse City, with a rosary at 7:30 p.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday at 11 a.m. at St. Francis Catholic Church in Traverse City, for Lake Leelanau native Reubin Labonte who died April 22. He was 88.

He was born in Provemont (now Lake Leelanau) on Sept. 4, 1918, to Peter Z. and Catherine (Schaub) LaBonte. In November 1954 he married Joan King who preceded him in death in June 1972. In December 1972, he married Pauline (Harrand) Lamie, who survives.

He served in the Army during World War II and saw combat in the Pacific Theater. He then worked at Parsons in Traverse City, at J.A. Minnema Orchards on the Old Mission Peninsula, and at Northwestern Michigan College from which he retired in 1983. He then worked part-time at a farm in Grand Traverse County. He enjoyed playing cards and visiting Leelanau County frequently. He was a longtime member of St. Francis Church as well as the Knights of Columbus, the VFW and the Eagles.
Also surviving are his daughters, Nadene (Michael) Cicero of New Jersey, Barbara LaBonte of Grawn, Linda (Pete Cross) LaBonte of Grand Rapids; stepsons Edward (Annie) Lamie of Mississippi, Gerald (Geneva) Lamie of Kingsley, June (Cinda) Lamie of Traverse City and Thomas (Julie) Lamie of Grayling; two grandsons; many step-grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be directed to The Guest House, Carmelite Monastery, or St. Francis Catholic Church.