Herbert H. Carlson

Herbert "Herb" H. Carlson, 93, of Petoskey, Michigan, passed away peacefully on January 28, 2026, at American House in Petoskey. Born December 19, 1932, in Grand Rapids MI, Herb was a lifelong community leader and dedicated public servant.

Herb graduated from Union High School in Grand Rapids and earned degrees in Electrical Engineering from DeVry Institute Chicago and Michigan State University and worked as a sales engineer at IBM before buying a local GM dealer, Perry Sales Co in 1966. Later after automobiles, Herb opened King’s Big and Tall Men’s Clothing shop in Petoskey’s gaslight district with his wife, Bonnie.

Herb loved Petoskey and was deeply involved in the community until his death. He served as Mayor of Petoskey (1990–1991 and 1999), where he enjoyed performing marriages and contributing to the city's growth, and served as an Emmet County Commissioner. A 63-year member of the Rotary Club of Petoskey, he actively supported traditions like the annual Spaghetti Dinner, Paul Harris fellowships, and embodied Rotary’s "Service Above Self." Herb was also a founder of the Petoskey & Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation, a Chamber of Commerce SCORE business counselor, a community mediator with Northern Michigan community mediation, worked with State prison detainee job training programs, a Boy Scotts of America scoutmaster, a longtime Junior Achievement volunteer, and member of the Petoskey Jaycees. Herb was a driving force with US131 development association to bring the expressway further north of Grand Rapids to service the north, as well as the Petoskey Chamber’s highway task force and regional air service task force.

Herb enjoyed sharing his writings in the Petoskey News Review with his opinions and thoughts on a variety of topics. After the loss of his big brother Robert, a B-24 navigator-bombardier in World War 2, he wanted to be in the skies and had owned several airplanes since the 1960’s. Holding instrument and commercial flying licenses, he and Bonnie flew all over the US wherever the weather was good. He was a passionate writer having just published a book, enjoyed water and oil painting flowers and scenery, thrived at his Thursday morning discussion group and several lunch groups and loved welcoming visitors to his front porch during the summer months for a chat.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie.  Herb is survived by three children, Richard (Mary Babrick), Janet Dalman (Mike), and Nancy Hersha (Jim); five grandchildren, Amber, Jack, Keirsten, Mitchell, and Mariah; two great grandchildren; his sister, Martha Droski of Holland Michigan (105 years old); numerous nieces and nephews; and close friend Dot Simon.

Donations may be directed to Hospice of Petoskey, which provided compassionate end‑of‑life care, or to Blissful Home Care & Cottage, which supported Herb with both in‑home and assisted‑living care.

A memorial service is planned for Saturday, March 28, 2026, at 11:00am at First Presbyterian Church, 7940 Cemetery Rd, Harbor Springs MI 49740.  Arrangements are under the care of Stone Funeral Home in Petoskey.  Following the service, all are invited to a luncheon at the church in Herb’s honor.