Terrill (“Terry”) Noel Thibert passed away on September 13, 2018 at the age of 86.

He was born on December 7, 1931 in Detroit, Mich., to Randall and Marbell Thibert. One of three, Terry, his sister Joan, and brother Tommy spent most of their childhood overlooking the beautiful bluffs of Niagara, Wis. from their house on River Street. Terry graduated from Niagara High in 1949 and began work as a pulp tester at the Kimberly Clark paper mill.

In 1952 when Terry was 20, at the height of the Korean War, he enlisted in the United States Navy as a hospital corpsman. Deployed aboard the U.S.S. Philippine Sea, an attack aircraft carrier and anti-submarine warfare carrier, Terry’s ship patrolled the coasts of Japan, Okinawa, and Taiwan. As a third-class petty officer, Terry received the Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, and National Defense Service Medal.

While still enlisted, in 1955, Terry and his long-time friend “Pinky” Harvath, also of Niagara, visited Pinky’s younger sister Margaret Harvath in Los Angeles, where Margaret was living. Their first date was a picture show in Hollywood, and it was there that their happily-ever-after story began. Terry was released to inactive duty in early 1956 and on July 14, 1956 married Margaret in a ceremony at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Niagara. Their romance has endured for more than 60 years.

In Niagara, Terry and Margaret raised nine wonderful children who will miss him dearly. Terry spent over four decades as a dedicated employee of the paper mill. He was elected Justice of the Peace, a position he served in for more than 10 years, and one that spoke to and embodied his sense of justice, character, and community service. His children, who share his work ethic and sense of service, playfully used to chant “here comes da judge, order in the court” as he entered a room.

After Terry retired from the mill, he and Margaret sold their home on Park Street, sharing their time between their cottage at Hamilton Lakes in Norway, Mich. and their home in Sun City, Ariz. But even in retirement, Terry kept busy. At the lake, Terry loved doing things like mowing lawns, splitting firewood, fixing pumps, fiddling with motors, and finding creative ways to keep out the geese - putzing at its finest. In Sun City, Terry played as an Octogenarian golfer and in an over-70 softball league, tended his many fruit trees, and watched in awe as fighter jets flew over his home every day. Terry and Margaret have wonderful lifetime friends, in so many places, that will miss his companionship and his willingness to lend a hand.

Terry appreciated reading the newspaper, a good cup of coffee, listening to country music, and watching the Brewers, Badgers, and Packers. He made the trip to Pasadena for the Rose Bowl, saw countless Lambeau Field victories, and attended three Super Bowls. He was an avid golfer, fisherman, cribbage player, and hunter, sharing those passions with his children and grandchildren. Above all things, Terry loved spending his life with his beloved wife Margaret.

Just last year, Terry, accompanied by his daughter Ann, was honored for his service to his country when he traveled with the Upper Peninsula Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. Met at the airport in Washington, D.C. by his children and grandchildren, active-service military, strangers, volunteers, and a French horn, Terry, along with 86 other veterans, toured national monuments and memorials erected in their honor. At the close of his trip, Terry and his fellow servicemen returned home to a celebration of their service.

Terry is survived by his wife of 62 years, Margaret (Harvath) Thibert, his nine children Suzanne Thibert, Sandra Phillips, JoAnn (Larry) Poncino, Patrick (Colleen) Thibert, Ann Thibert, Diane Thibert, TJ (Lynnette) Thibert, Renee (Jon) Volpei, and Mary Kaye (Larry Bovee) Thibert, and his grandchildren Jacob Phillips, Abraham Phillips, Annette Rolain, Matthew Phillips, Brian Volpei, Clair Phillips, Stephen Volpei, Adam Volpei, Kathleen Volpei, Max Thibert, Hunter Thibert, and Joseph Thibert. He is also survived by his younger brother Thomas (Donna) Thibert.

Visitation will take place Saturday, September 22, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Niagara, Wis. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. at the church. Rev. Fr. Michael Lightner will officiate. Burial will take place in Niagara Cemetery. The American Legion Cretton-Tutis Post #136 of Niagara, along with the Iron Mountain American Legion Uren-Cooper Johnson Post #50, will accord military honors at the cemetery. A post-burial reception will be at St. Anthony’s Church Hall.

The family asks, that in remembrance of Terrill N. Thibert, to please consider making a donation in his name to the Upper Peninsula Honor Flight at www.upperpeninsulahonorflight.org

You may light a candle in remembrance of Terry or leave a condolence for his family online at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com.

The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home, Niagara Chapel, to honor Terry’s legacy of life.