Gary Allen Hebert

Gary Allen Hebert, age 87, passed away peacefully at his home on April 23, 2026, surrounded by the family he loved – exactly as he would have wanted.  Gary shared a Cheboygan log home with his beloved wife of 33 years, Clara.  This is a home with a beautiful view of the wooded backyard that Gary loved.

He was born on December 4, 1938, the 7th of 9 boys, to Ada and Charles Hebert.  He was raised in Cheboygan, Michigan.  Following his High School graduation, he enlisted in the Army.  In 1960, while on leave from Ft. Dix, New Jersey, he married his High School sweetheart, Lynn Gard.  Upon his return from a tour of duty with the U.S. Army to the Korean DMZ, they eventually landed on Cobb Lake in Wayland, Michigan, where they grew a family and a beautiful life.  In 1986, Gary lost Lynn to cancer.  Gary was then blessed enough to find true love a second time in his life. He found in Clara, his partner for everything that came next – a beautiful marriage, a log cabin dream home, numerous adventures, and a life well and happily built together.

Gary enjoyed competing as an athlete and was an avid outdoorsman.  He was a premier football player for Cheboygan High School; he routinely played as both an offensive and defensive lineman.  He had a lifelong love of the water and boating, as well as snowmobiling.  He loved sharing his love of the water with his family and many friends.  He would drive his boat countless hours on Cobb Lake teaching his children and their many friends how to ski and drive the boat.  His love of sports and the outdoors were passed to his children and grandchildren.  He showed up to as many sporting events as he could for two generations of his family without missing a beat.  He also had a passion for working with wood - he made numerous pieces of beautiful furniture for his home, family and friends. 

He was a man of great presence, kindness, and generosity.  He believed in living his life by example in caring for those around him and defending the underdog.  He was known to give anything he could to those in need.  He strongly believed in welcoming all for a conversation, a humorous story of his adventures, a meal, or a place to sleep.  Most of all he believed in taking care of his family, ensuring they knew they were loved, safe, and that he would sacrifice anything for their benefit.  We see you in the water, in the workshop, and around the fire.  We’ll carry you always.

Gary never hesitated to share his pride for his son Todd, and daughters Lynne Rene, Maria, Heather, and his 7 grandchildren.  Gary will be remembered for his kind heart and amazing sense of humor. He is survived by his wife Clara; brothers, Dick, Joe, and Tim; son Todd (Karen), daughters, Lynne Rene (Lance), Maria (Mike), and Heather (Ed); 9 grandchildren, Bobby, Casey (Lindsey), Dakota (Victoria), McKinzie (Tyler), Samantha (Drew), Scott (Emily) and Ivy, Carlos and Antonio; and 7 great grandchildren, Addison, Berkley, Avery, Hayes, Beckett, Lane, Mac, and another soon to come, and several nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be planned later this year. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, McLaren Home Care & Hospice of Northern Michigan, or Dementia Society of America.

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