Michael Bibin Sr., 95

Soldier, husband, father, comforter: Michael Bibin, who was all of those, passed away Dec. 6, 2011. With his passing, America lost a hero, and his family and friends lost a companion of character who thought and cared for others before himself.

Michael was born May 17, 1916, in Detroit, Mich., a son of European immigrants. He joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1933 and served his country honorably for 30 years, rising through the ranks to Captain in the new U.S. Air Force. He was one of the first casualties of World War II when wounded as a crewmember of a B-17 bomber that was attacked by Japanese fighters over the Philippine Islands the first day of the war.

While hospitalized, he was captured in May 1941. As a prisoner of war in the Philippines, he persevered through horrendous hardships until June 1944 when he was jammed into a "hell ship" with a thousand other prisoners and transported to Japan. There he endured harsh labor and brutal treatment by the Japanese guards with a determination to survive and help his fellow prisoners. He was liberated in August 1945 and went on to complete a successful career in the U.S. Air Force.

After retiring from the U.S. Air Force in 1963, he became a businessman, world traveler and resident in Tahiti. In 1983, the Bibins traveled through North Idaho and fell in love with Coeur d'Alene where they put down roots.

He was preceded in death by his father, Samuel; mother Marie; brothers Peter and Frank; and sister Mary.

He is survived by his wife, Lucile; sons Lance and Michael; nieces Barbara, Mimi and Nancy; and daughters-in-law Mireille and Tena.

The family thanks Hospice of North Idaho for their compassionate and loving end-of-life care of Michael and strongly encourage continued community support for this worthwhile and wonderful nonprofit organization.

The public is invited to attend the Military Rites honoring Capt. Bibin at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, at English Funeral Chapel, 1133 N. Fourth St., Coeur d'Alene.

Please sign Michael's guest registry at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.