John `T. Hubbard

A hardworking man who lived to bless others, John J.T. Hubbard was an extraordinary man to know and love. After spending only a few minutes with him, it was easy to see that his family was his greatest source of pride and joy, especially his grandchildren. Together John and his wife exemplified what marriage is truly intended to be as they were soul mates, true companions, and best friends. Never one to let things get the best of him, he was a man of great strength and courage whose faith was the cornerstone on which his life was built. Although life will never be the same without John here, he leaves behind a timeless legacy that his loved ones will proudly carry on in his footsteps.

It was great to be an American during the 1920s, but the 1930s were a much different story as the entire decade was cloaked in the hardship of the Great Depression. There were glimmers of hope, however, as the New York skyline was transformed with the completions of both the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building, and the joy of the holiday season was ushered in by the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade. This time was also a time to celebrate in the lives of Vernon Buster and Shelly (Johnson) Hubbard as they announced the birth of the baby boy they named John Thomas on December 7, 1937, in Tyronza, Arkansas. He was the youngest of the Hubbard family as he was joined in his family by his older sisters, Juanita and Joyce. He also had a sister who died as an infant. Johns father left the family when John was a very young boy, and as a result he and his sisters and mother were traveling farmers who worked the fields picking cotton wherever the work could be found as a means to survive. In addition to being cared for by his mother, John was cared for by his older sisters as well. They spent some time living in Iuka, Mississippi, and Cherokee, Alabama, before moving to Indiana when John was 15 after one of his sisters moved to the area and got married. Once there, John started working at McDonalds instead of working in the fields.

As a young man, new and exciting changes were in store for John when he met the young girl of his dreams during the summer of 1962. Her name was Ellon Sue Hummel, and she was the sister of one of his coworkers and friend. Sparks flew and the couple was soon dating. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together, the sweethearts were married later that summer on September 17, 1962. They made their home in Churubusco, and John adopted her son, Melvin, as his own. Together they also were blessed with five more children, Johnny, Jeff, Shelly, Sherry, and Joe. As the family continued to grow, John added on three additional bedrooms and a dining room to their home. He did the work himself with some additional help from his kids as he dug out the foundation.

To support his family, John worked hard. He started out at Weatherhead, which later became Dana Weatherhead, then CF Gomma in Columbia City and retired after 32 years of dedicated service.

Known for his strong work ethic, there was nothing that John cherished more than being with his family. By 1989 they moved from Churubusco to their current home on West Lincolnway. While he was busy working, Johns wife took care of their home and family. However, he was always looking for ways that he could help out in his time away from work. Most of his career was spent working second shift, and when he was not working John was out running errands, shopping, or driving his kids wherever they needed to go. He also enjoyed bringing home snacks and junk food for himself and his family as he loved to eat. John especially loved ham and bacon, and Christmas dinner was always a highlight as well. He preferred being at home more than anywhere else, and if he wasnt busy with his family or enjoying some television John could often be found out on his porch. Along with being an avid ready, he was a sports fan who enjoyed watching football, especially the Dallas Cowboys, as well as baseball and some boxing, too. Later in life John was thrilled to become a grandfather. He loved taking his grandchildren to the dollar spots to get snacks and treats. For years John also loved spending time with his dog, Shorty.

With unending devotion to his family, John Hubbard was such an inspiration. He loved his wife with a selfless love, and he treasured nothing more than being a father and a grandfather. A Christian man, John was generous and protective of his loved ones, and although he accomplished so many things of which to be proud he was always humble. Deeply loved, he will never be forgotten.

John J.T. Hubbard, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away at 7:52 p.m. Saturday, June 25, 2016, at Parkview Regional Medical Center. Johns family includes his wife of 53 years, Sue Hubbard; children, Johnny (Wendy) Hubbard, Jeff Hubbard, both of Columbia City, Shelly (Bill) Cupp, Sherry (Scott) Craig and Joe (Holly) Hubbard, all of Albion; 15 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren. John was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Juanita Jauregui and Joyce Hill; son, Melvin Hubbard on August 16, 1993; and an infant sister.

Visitation is 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, June 28, 2016 at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with his son-in-law, Elder Bill Cupp officiating. Burial will follow at Thorn Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to Bear Lake Camp. To send Johns family condolences online, visit www.demoneygrimes.com .