John David Tebben

John D. Tebben of Plymouth, MI, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family on Saturday, October 19, 2024. He was born to the late Joseph and Geraldine (Shanahan) Tebben of Lima, Ohio, on March 5, 1948.

John is survived by four children, Jennifer (Toribio) Nunez, Christopher (Marina) Tebben, Paul (Mara) Tebben and Joseph (Sara) Tebben; ten grandchildren, Jonah, Sophia, CJ, Casey, Peyton, Cameron, Olivia, Anna, John, and a new baby on the way; four sisters, Susan Hyser, Muriel Collins, Jane Patterson, and Mary Rasmussen; three brothers, Marc Tebben, David Tebben, and Peter Tebben; seven brothers- and sisters-in-law, Carol Tebben DePalma, Judy Tebben, Theresa Tebben, Perry Hux, Jack Collins, Jim Patterson, and Lori Tebben; many cousins, nieces, nephews and a treasured collection of lifelong friends whom he considered family.

John was preceded in death by Sally (Fisher) Tebben, his daughter Christine Marie Tebben, his parents Joseph and Geraldine Tebben, his brothers Joseph (Buzz) Tebben Jr. and Tom Tebben, his sister Anne Tebben, and his brother-in-law Marc Hyser. 

John graduated from Lima Central Catholic High School (Lima, Ohio) in 1966 where he excelled in athletics as a prolific Thunderbird, and in 2016 he was honored to be elected to the Lima Catholic Schools Wall of Athletic Excellence for his achievements. His talents and drive earned him a scholarship to play football for the Holy Cross Crusaders in Worcester, MA. He went on to earn a degree in Psychology and joined the ROTC. In both high school and college, John attended classes and played alongside many who would become cherished lifelong friends.

Following graduation from Holy Cross in 1970, John married Sally (Fisher) Tebben and was commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy. He traveled around the world on Navy Destroyer USS Robert K. Huntington and earned the rank of Lieutenant. While stationed in Bayonne, NJ, he and Sally welcomed their first daughter, Jennifer. He was honorably discharged as a decorated Sailor.

Following his time in the military, John and his family settled in his hometown of Lima, OH where he and Sally welcomed three more children, Christopher, Paul, and Joseph. There, he began a long and successful career in the automotive industry, specializing in Human Resources & Labor Relations for Ford Motor Company, Visteon, and Metalsa. This career took John and his family to the Plymouth-Canton area of Metro Detroit in 1981 where John lived happily until his passing.

 A great believer in the power of tradition and its ability to bond people, John instigated and fueled many annual events that stitched the lives of friends and family together in ways that will endure for generations to come. Whether it was a standing invitation to Perpetuity Point (his cottage on Coldwater Lake), holiday dinners, or annual trips to sporting events, ski lodges, or Las Vegas, John was typically the mastermind and the master of ceremony. All who eagerly anticipated one of these traditions were never left disappointed.

While John distinguished himself in his professional pursuits, he was proudest of his commitment to his family. His cherished roles as a dedicated father, loving grandfather, son, brother, uncle, friend, coach, teammate, and mentor impacted the lives of countless people. He thrived on his ability to improve and add value to the lives and experiences of those he loved.

John was known for his energetic passion for life. He had a deep love for the lake and the memories that time spent near it could foster. Many who knew him closely would agree that a conversation over coffee with John next to the water could often bring one’s universe into balance. He was known for being even-handed, fostering deep conversations & debates. Friends and family looked to him for encouragement to think more deeply and challenge the status quo. For the duration of his life, he maintained a vigorous interest in sports, a love for language and music, and an everlasting supply of humor. His life was guided by a deep love for his family and friends, a steadfast commitment to others, a caring ear, and a huge heart. His daily examples of strength, principled character, sense of humor, love, and grace are the foundation of his children's & grandchildren’s values. They have left an indelible mark on all those whose lives he touched. He will be missed dearly by many caring relatives and friends.

There will never be another like him.

Visitation will be held at the Schrader-Howell Funeral Home (280 S. Main St., Plymouth, MI 48170) from 4:00 to 8:00 pm on Thursday, November 21, 2024. 

A subsequent visitation will be held at Chiles-Laman Funeral Home (1170 Shawnee Road, Lima, OH 45805) from 4:00 to 8:00 on Friday, November 22, 2024. 

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Rose Catholic Church, 523 N. West Street, Lima, Ohio 45801at 10:00 am, Saturday, November 23, 2024.

Memorial donations may be made to the National Spasmodic Torticollis Association, 9920 Talbert Avenue, Fountain Valley, California 92708 or Angela Hospice, 14100 Newburgh Road, Livonia, MI 48154.

John’s family would like to thank the staff members at University of Michigan Medical Center and Angela Hospice for the compassionate and dignified care they provided in his final years of life.