Walter C. "Wally" Hibbeln, 81, longtime resident of Ontonagon, passed away with his family by his side Monday, July 13, in Ontonagon after a courageous battle with Parkinson's disease. He was born in Ontonagon on June 27, 1928, son of the late John C. and Hilma E. (Walitalo) Hibbeln. He attended Ontonagon Schools and St. Lawrence Seminary, and graduated from the Ontonagon High School with the class of 1946.

During the Korean conflict he served with the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Goss from Dec. 4, 1951 until Jan. 7, 1955. He was decorated with the National Defense Service Ribbon.

Walter attended Michigan Technological University. He was employed by Robbins Engineering and Fischer Body in Detroit. He returned to the Upper Peninsula and was employed at the White Pine Copper Range Mine. He and his wife owned and operated the Go-Inn Bar in Green for 17 years. Walter also worked for Boyles BrotherA