Michael J. Giebe
Giebe, Michael J. – St. Louis, Missouri
Michael was born on March 27, 1947 and passed away December 9, 2019, at the age of 72, surrounded by family and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Earl Giebe, Jr. and Marie (nee Taylor) Giebe of St. Louis, Missouri and his sister Kathleen Arwood of Pueblo, Colorado.
Michael is survived by his children and grandchildren whom he was so proud of and loved dearly: his two daughters Trisha (Jim) Williams and Jennifer Giebe and his grandchildren Sydney Williams, Jacob Williams and Destiny Giebe-Beaulieu all of St. Louis, Mo.
Michael is also survived by Tracie Zera, his loving partner of 15 years, his sisters Linda Tucker of Perryville, Mo, Patricia Spalding of Troy, Mo, Jeanne Giebe of Pacific, Mo and his brother Thomas Giebe of Waco, Tx.
Throughout his life, Michael was not only a licensed, professional barber, he retired as the Assistant Chief of Operations for the Transition and Separation Branch of the United States Human Resources Command in St. Louis, Mo and was the Manager of the Family Pavilion for the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium II. He was a lifelong fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and St Louis Blues.
Michael was a proud veteran, serving in the United States Navy from 1966-1972, including serving in Vietnam in 1967-1968. After his active-duty service in the Navy, he served in the United States Navy and Army Reserves from 1975-2007.
Michael was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer early in 2018 and was a proud supporter of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, participating in two Purple Stride Walks. His proudest moment and a great day for him was on November 16, 2019, he gathered almost 130 friends and family members for a celebration of his life and his fight against cancer and raised almost $3200 for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. His motto was “Can’t be scared, won’t be scared.”
Michael’s family will be forever grateful to Dr. Paul Mehan and the nurses and support staff at the Cancer Center at Missouri Baptist Medical Center and the physicians, nurses and support staff at Evelyn’s House and BJC Hospice.
A Graveside service will be held at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, on Friday, December 13, 2019 at 12:30 PM.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at, www.pancan.org
Bill and I are so sorry to hear of Mike’s passing.
I, personally, have known Mike since high school
Mike is very special to Bill and me because he introduced us some 55 or so years ago.
Like everything else in life, time gets away from us, but we have always been able to touch base with one another. The last twenty years or so through occasional card games at one another’s homes.
The last time we saw him he was in such good spirits and, so looking forward
to his Pancreatic Cancer fundraiser.
We thought he was looking great and could possibly look forward to a future life.
We are so sorry that this disease took him so quickly, and we will always remember him for his great attitude and devotion to his girls and their families.
He will be missed.
Staff Sergeant Giebe was one of the most devoted and loyal soldiers I ever served with. He was a great friend that could always be trusted with everything. He was so helpful when my dad made his final visit to Busch Stadium.
My deepest condolences to Mike’s family and Tracy. I am praying for you during this tough time.
Thank you for your kindness and prayers.
Mike was our friend and neighbor for 20+ years on Gordon Avenue. He was always ready and willing to help whenever anyone needed help and he kept a watchful eye on our house whenever we were out of town. He was awesome to all my dogs and used to give my Black Lab treats over the fence anytime he came out and she was in the yard. He never failed to text my ex-husband (a Navy Vet) on Veterans’ Day and Memorial Day and we always heard from him over the holidays. I know that his family meant the world to him. He will be sorely missed. God took one of the Good Guys from this ol’ world too early. Our heartfelt sympathy and prayers to Mike’s family and friends.
I am so sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. I am grateful for his service to our country and for his friendship. He was on of a kind! I am thankful that he suffers no more and I am sure he is now giving God an earful. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and Tracie.
Mike was a great Patriot and even greater friend. Anytime we talked, he always asked about my “sailor”, my son who was a 20 yr vet of the “Fleet Navy” as he and Mike used to both say. God’s blessings to Mike’s family and especially Tracie, the love of his life all these years.
Mike was the first, & to this day still the best, boss I ever had. I was 16 when he hired me to work at Busch Stadium, & for the following 4 seasons he not only wrote the schedules & enforced the rules, but dropped life lessons & wisdom along the way. He was never overbearing about it, in fact many of the lessons I really didn’t understand until later in life. He was kind & empathetic, level headed & fair, & would never ask any of us to do anything he himself wasn’t willing to roll up his sleeves & do as well. He made real connections with his employees, & even on the worst days, we still had fun at work. When I went from labor to management, many of those lessons seemed to resurface in my brain all the more often. I learned a lot from Mike, & am grateful to have gotten to know him & learn from him. My condolences go out to his family. Rest in peace Mike, you were one of the darn good ones.
Mike, was not only an amazing person but a loyal Veteran. When, I was trying to learn about my grandfather who died in WWII Mike went beyond everything imaginable to help me. Mike located records we were told were destroyed in a fire. Then, he presented my family and I with his medals in Ohio on Veterans Day! I know in my heart Mike is being thrown a hero’s welcome in Heaven. Our prayers are with you.