Kenneth Otto Jilbert

1932 - 2026

Kenneth Otto Jilbert
Manistee, Michigan
12/02/1932 - 01/29/2026
Kenneth O. Jilbert, age 93, died on January 29, 2026. He was born at home on Dec. 2, 1932 to Frank and Hope Jilbert in Pontiac. He attended Pontiac Public Schools, graduating in 1950. Ken was involved in the Boy Scouts, the Methodist Youth Fellowship, and worked at Suburban Motors in Birmingham, MI . Ken attended GM Institute for one year. He was drafted into the Army during the Korean War. Ken was an Honor Graduate of his basic training company at Fort Rucker, Alabama. He was discharged in 1955 with the rank of Staff Sgt. Then, using the GI bill, he attended CMU where he received a BS degree, a teaching certificate, and a Masters degree in Industrial Technology. Ken graduated Magna Cum Laude and was a member of Phi Delta Kappa, an honorary Education Fraternity.
Ken met the love of his life at the Methodist Church in Mt. Pleasant. He married Mary Ann Green in Aug.1963 in Utica Mich. They were married for 62 years. He was a member of the local Manistee United Methodist Church where he was head usher and did Audio Tech work at the church for over 40 years. Ken was involved in many projects at the church, including the building of the new church and supervising the selection and placement of a 20-30 foot real Christmas tree for 40 years.
Ken joined the teaching staff at MHS in the fall of 1961. He taught Mechanical Architecture and Engineering Drafting. He also built six houses in the Elm Street/Locust St. area under the Vocational Program.
In 1991 he retired from MHS and started another career as a volunteer for the church, the city of Manistee, and the Manistee County Historical Museum. His work crew built the log cabin on the 2nd floor in the Museum and also built new windows for the front of that Museum. He was the "keeper" of the Waterworks Museum on First St. and the Net Shed Museum on the Riverwalk. At one time Ken put five units in the Christmas parade. He was also in charge of the "First Ship of the Season", giving his handmade canes and top hats to the Captains and Chief Engineers of these various ships that would be the first to enter our harbor each year. Ken's main hobby was in woodworking especially making Victorian canes and model ships. He gave many canes to the city of Manistee, various organizations, and to the Museum to sell each year as a fund raiser. The benches on the West end of the River Walk were made by Ken's crew along with many tables. The Veterans Memorial also received 20 canes and 4 benches made of Hackberry wood.
Ken and Mary "boated" on the Great Lakes and the North Channel in their 31 foot wooden 1961 Richardson Cruiser for 40 years. Their favorite ports were North Port, MI, Meldrum Bay, Canada, and the Manitoulin Island in the North Channel.
Ken received the Jaycees Distinguished Service Award in 2000, and he was honored by the Elks as Citizen of the Year in 2003, and Volunteer of the Year, by the Chamber of Commerce, in 2004. When the National Guard was deployed overseas during the Middle East War, Ken worked at the Armory framing pictures and photos of the men of Company "B". He repaired floors and equipment at the Armory. He also made 39 canes for the returning Guardsmen. For his work, he was presented a bronze Minuteman Statue.
Ken was honored in the Spring of 2023 when the museum ship, the SS Milwaukee Clipper in Muskegon, dedicated a room full of his ship models of local Great Lakes ships. It was coordinated by, Ray Hilt, a former director/president of the Milwaukee Clipper restoration project. Ken and Mary had met him years ago on Manitoulin Island, Canada, on one of their many boat trips on Lake Michigan, etc. For many years Ken had loaned models of ships to be on display on the Milwaukee Clipper. The Clipper has bought over 20 models from Ken and now has a sign up which reads, "Welcome to the Ken Jilbert Model Room." (Ray Hilt made the sign out of lumber from a sunken schooner by a pier in Muskegon.)
Ken was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Lewis Jilbert, a sister Dona Wethy, a niece Kathy Wethy, and a nephew Kent Wethy. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Jilbert, many nieces and nephews including, Claudia Fowler, and a godson, David Youngberg.
Ken's service will be held in the spring, on a sunny, calm day, perfect for launching his boat. It will take place at Bridges Church in Manistee on First Street, with visitation at the church, one hour before the service. Burial will be in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery at a later date. Donations in Ken's name can be made to the Manistee County Historical Museum for restoration on River Street or to the organ restoration fund at Bridges Church on First Street.
Funeral arrangements have been provided by Oak Grove Funeral Home & Cremation Center.