George Wilber

George Wilber George Wilber better known locally and nationally as "Shuffleboard George", died April 3, 2011 at the age of 81. Born September 21, 1929 to Howard and Gladys Wilber in Vernon, Michigan, he grew up in Ovid, graduating from OHS in 1948. Those with roots in the small town of Ovid will remember him as the "gutsy kid" who earned letters in all sports despite losing his right leg in a train accident at the age of 13. Those in Lansing and throughout Michigan will remember him as a dedicated table shuffleboard player, organizer, teacher, promoter, and all-around "guru" of the sport. He was recognized by the Greater Lansing Shuffleboard League in 1996 for 25 years of dedication and commitment to the sport. He and his wife Donna were honored for their efforts to promote the growth of table shuffleboard through publication of a national publication called "The Board Talk". They were inducted into the Michigan Shuffleboard Hall of Fame and the National Shuffleboard Federation, Inc. for extraordinary contributions to the sport. In 2004, George was honored by Michigan players as the first and foremost pioneer and legend, for his dedication to fair play, teaching and promoting the sport. While he was proud of the recognition of his peers, no title was more meaningful to him than being "Papa" to his five great-grandchildren, whom he loved with all his heart and soul. He is survived by his daughters Teri Elkins and fiance' Sam Barnett Jr., Lansing and Robyn Wilber, Charlotte; grandsons Kelly and Dawn Elkins, Kory Elkins; former granddaughter-in-law Tabatha Rupert; great-grandchildren Quentin, Logan, Lauren, Sophia and Victoria Elkins, all of Lansing; brother Robert Wilber of Ovid; sister Jennielee Bowen of Kendallville, Indiana, and DeLoris and Roy Harger of St. Johns; brother-in-law Ron and Maxine Matson of St. Johns; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Donna Wilber; sister Ruth Malato; parents and grandparents, his son-in-law Donald Elkins; his step-mother Velma; his brother-in-law Ward Matson; his mother-in-law Elizabeth Ruona, and his nephew Bruce Bowen. Celebration of his life will be held May 7, 2011 at 12:00 p.m. at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, 1500 Waterford Pkwy., St. Johns, MI. Visitation will be held 2 hours prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice House to Mid-Michigan, 1210 W. Saginaw, Lansing, MI 48915 in memory of George.