John Philip Hylbert, 65, of Charleston, passed away Thursday, November 14, 2024, from a recent illness. He passed suddenly and without suffering, after a courageous battle.

John is survived by his devoted son, Justin Philip, adoring daughter, Brooke, admiring son-in-law, Jack Field, and precious grandson, Hayden Philip. John loved his family unconditionally and with great ferocity. Although their time together was painfully short, Hayden will always know his granddad by way of the family instilling John’s brand of love. John was preceded in death by his parents, who considered him their “miracle baby,” Philip Eugene Hylbert and Jo Ann Casey. Although an only child, John is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews from his extended family; former spouse, Pam Hylbert-Eder (Scott); and best friend from childhood, Tom Capito.

John was a graduate of Charleston High School (’77) where he played basketball. His children learned the value of hard work and dedication through his tenure as a chemical operator with DuPont/Chemours (Belle and Parkersburg) for nearly 40 years.

While impossible to summarize a life of love, his children would like to share a poem they wrote and gifted him for Christmas in 2005 – mimicking a poem they discovered, written by his parents and gifted to him on his birthday in 1987:

Where to start? Where to begin? This was the problem, again and again, It is simply impossible to convey everything we feel, But through this poem we hope to reveal, Our birthdays were undoubtedly blessed days for you, We want you to know they were blessed days for us too, After nine long months we could finally see, While only the beginning, what a wonderful father you’d be, Although tall, a mighty giant to us – we know this to be true, We felt safe and secure, as we do to this day, just because you were you, You taught us to listen, you taught us to mind, You taught us to be patient, gentle, loving, and kind, Know the secret to your success in teaching us two? We do not only as you say, but also as you do, We have so much fun, sometimes it’s almost a crime, Always giggling while asking, “Do you remember that time …?”, Fishing, camping, tubing, racing – all while we laugh out of control, From Disney to Clearwater, and let us not forget the famed, the legendary, Mystery Hole, We know we are special, you make us feel so, We know we are loved, you always tell us before we go, You have nurtured our wings, we are not afraid to fly, What an amazing gift, one we keep with us as time goes by, We look forward to the time that our family will grow, So that others may experience the love only you can bestow, Dad, one thing is certain, knowing the man you are, Grandma and Granddad could not be more proud of their son, their shining star, You are all a daughter and son could ask for, You are the light of our lives and more.

During their father’s battle, Justin and Brooke relied on the hospitality of the Rosenbaum House in Morgantown. In lieu of flowers or other gifts of sympathy, the family asks that you consider a donation in John’s name to any local hospitality/family house that supports families while their loved ones receive medical care. The family would like to thank their network of family and friends for their continuous support, especially Linsday Hope and Aunt Cathy for their caregiving. The family plans a small celebration of life after the holidays.

Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston, is handling the arrangements.