John Henry Kube

John H. Kube, 80, of Petersburg, IL, a longtime forest wildlife biologist for the Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), passed away August 1, 2024.
John was born March 27, 1944, in Whitehall, Wisconsin to Adolph H. and Hazel O. (Larson) Kube. After high school, he trained and apprenticed as a steamfitter, and became a Journeyman Steamfitter. But always an outdoorsman, John felt the call of the outdoors and wanted to focus his life's work on conservation and management of natural resources. He returned to school and completed a Bachelor's Degree and a Master's Degree in Natural Resource Management at the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point. After completing his MS Degree, he was hired by the Illinois Department of Conservation Division of Wildlife in 1973.
John married his wife of almost sixty years, Diane Sobotta, in Arcadia, Wisconsin on November 26, 1964. They had three children: Mary (deceased) and the twins, Barbra and Brenda.
John worked for the Department of Conservation (now Department of Natural Resources) until 2002. During the early part of his career, white-tailed deer and turkey populations were tiny by today's standards, and management efforts were tailored to protect the growing populations and to assist them in colonizing uninhabited areas. John and his fellow biologists spent countless hours trapping wild turkeys and relocating them to parts of Illinois that had suitable habitat but no turkeys. They also trapped ruffed grouse from other states and transplanted them back into the Shawnee National Forest, although grouse populations never thrived in Illinois like wild turkeys did. For many years, as Deer Project Leader, John was charged with management of the statewide deer herd, setting county deer harvest quotas, and overseeing the State's system of county deer check stations to ensure that the data necessary to manage deer herds was collected. Over time, as deer herds continued to increase, management goals shifted from growing the herd to controlling numbers at levels acceptable to a wide variety of Illinoisans, including hunters, farmers, and motorists. Illinois' renown as a destination state for deer hunters from all over the country is a testament to the early work of biologists like John.
Outside of work, John was an avid hunter and fisherman, and thoroughly enjoyed many "activities" with friends centered around those seasons. A Labrador Retriever has always been a member of his family. He loved catfishing the Sangamon River and serving the catches at his July 4th birthday fish fry for his girls. He spent many memorable times at "The Shack", a floating cabin in Wisconsin on the backwaters of the Mississippi River that he, his brother Franklin(deceased), and three good friends built in 1972. Even when duck hunting or fishing was slow, the camaraderie of being out of doors and at camp with great friends was the point of it all. Especially after retirement, this was his "go-to" spot for rest and relaxation.
John is survived by his wife Diane Kube of Petersburg, daughters Brenda Kube and Barbra Webber (Gary), grandchildren Kyle Webber, Claire Webber, and Ali Kube, and sister Alice Bledig.
A Celebration of Life will be held for family and friends from 1-5 p.m. on Sunday, September 1 at The Barn at Three Pines Bed and Breakfast, 517 West Douglas, Petersburg. The Barn is located in the back yard of Three Pines behind the mansion. Hurley Funeral Home (Petersburg, IL) is assisting the family. Memories or tributes can be shared at www.hurleyfh.com.