Michael J. LaBarge, 71, Marshfield, the respected and dedicated truck driver he was, hauled his last load from House of the Dove to Heaven early on Monday, August 15, 2016. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, August 19, 2016 at Rembs Funeral Home, Marshfield, with Rev. Robert Nelson officiating. Military rites will be conducted at the funeral home by the American Legion Post 54, following the service. The visitation will be held on Thursday from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm and on Friday from 10:00 am until service time at Rembs Funeral Home. Michael was born on August 11, 1945 in Unity, to Louis and Agnes (Wehrman) LaBarge. He grew up in the Arpin-Vesper area and was a 1963 graduate of Auburndale High School. He entered the United States Navy stationed in Oceanside, California, serving from 1965 until his honorable discharge in 1967. He returned to the Marshfield area and married Diane M. Kuechenmeister on September 18, 1971 at St. James Catholic Church, Vesper and pursued his life long career of driving semis coast to coast. He was employed by Figi's, Van Natta Trucking, Gardner's Trucking, CW Transport, Overland Express and the last 28 years for Brock Trucking and Cold Storage, retiring in 2014. Still having a desire of having those 18 wheels under him, he went to work for Cole Pankratz Trucking until September 2015 when health issues made him retire again. He drove over 5 million miles over his life time. He fought a courageous battle of esophageal cancer for a year. Mike was always ready to play a game of sheepshead or cribbage. He enjoyed football, nascar, truck pulls and racing. Most of all camping with his little buddies, Draven, Jaylyn and Taylyn. He truly loved his grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Diane, and one daughter, Michelle (Jaycen) Dupee and grandson, Draven LaBarge, granddaughters, Jaylyn LaBarge and Taylyn Dupee. He is further survived by brothers, Joseph (Kathleen) LaBarge of Fort Meyers, FL, Raymond (Judy Jensen) LaBarge of Auburndale, and William (Josie) LaBarge of Arpin, and sisters, Carole Walsh of Paris, TN and Irene Luebke of Fort Atkinson, brothers-in-law, Richard (Gail) Hancock of Wisconsin Rapids and Leon (Susan) Kuechenmeister of Marshfield, step brothers-in-law, Steve Smith and Paul Smith, a step sister-in-law, Ann (Dan) Attkinson and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Agnes and Louis LaBarge, his in-laws, Bob & LaFae Smith, brothers-in-law, Henry "Al" Walsh, Richard Luebke and DuWayne Kuechenmeister, step brothers-in-law, Tom and James Smith and a nephew Raymond Smith. The family will designate a memorial at a later date. The family wishes to thank the staff of Marshfield Clinic, Ministry Home Care Hospice, Apirus Home Health Care and a special thanks to U.W. Hospital in Madison and the staff at House of the Dove for their excellent care. Condolences may be sent online to www.rembsfh.com