Raymond L. Halbert

Raymond L. Halbert, age 93, of Northville, passed away October 4, 2018.   He was born August 29, 1925 in Detroit, Michigan; son of Robert and Rachel (nee Gray) Halbert.  Raymond attended St. Benedict’s in Detroit; Class of 1944.  He proudly served his country with the United States Army during WWII, where he was stationed in the Philippines. Following his return from the Army, he earned an associate degree from Detroit College of Business.  He was united in marriage to Margaret “Peggy” Wilkie on January 27, 1951; they spent 64 loving years together until her death on March 27, 2015.

Raymond worked as an accountant with General Motors for 30 plus years, retiring in 1981.  He was a member of St. Kenneth Church in Plymouth, where he volunteered at various church functions like the fish fry.  Raymond was an avid golfer, in the 1930’s he worked as a caddy at Detroit Golf Club, and more recently often played with a group from Kings Mill.  A great golfer, he had a hole-in-one at Northville Golf Course.  He was talented at creating bonsai trees and liked tending to the gardens in his neighborhood.  Raymond was very active at Kings Mill; he assembled and delivered the Grapevine, helped with the annual kid’s pool party, and loved to play poker with the Thursday afternoon poker group.  He was a skilled woodcarver, he shared the shore birds, ducks, trellis, and bird houses he made with family.  Raymond liked to be outdoors, he enjoyed walking and loved the water and swimming.  He also enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially rabbit hunting.  He would often listen to audiobooks, which included a wide variety of genres and he was always willing to give anything a try.  Raymond was amazingly curious about things in the world, he was always learning and expanding his knowledge and was fascinated by technology.  He had a wonderful sense of humor and was very kind.  Raymond adored his grandchildren and great grandchildren; and cherished the time he spent with family.  He said, “I wish to live and enjoy life as long as possible” and that is what he did.

Raymond is survived by his loving children, Susan (Matt) Stoney and James (Gale) Halbert; his daughter-in-law, Barbara Halbert; his brother, Charles Halbert; his grandchildren, Candice (Bill) Elwell, Amanda (Peter) Adams, Erica Stoney, Rachel (Nick) George, and Daniel (Kara) Stoney; and his great grandchildren, Sophia, Annabelle, Norah, Ben, and Luke.  He was preceded in death by his wife Margaret “Peggy” Halbert, his son Michael Halbert, his parents, and 5 siblings.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, October 10, 2018 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a scripture service at 7:00 p.m. at Casterline Funeral Home, 122 W. Dunlap, Northville.  A Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, October 11, 2018 at Noon with a time of gathering beginning at 11:30 a.m. at St. Colette Parish, 17600 Newburgh Road, Livonia.  Father Tom Belczak from St. Kenneth Church will officiate the service.  Mr. Halbert will be laid to rest at Great Lakes National Cemetery with his beloved wife.

In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate memorial contributions to Friends of the Northville District Library , 212 W. Cady, Northville, MI 48167 or St. Kenneth Church , 14951 N. Haggerty Road, Plymouth, MI 48170.