Herbert Jablin, 91, of Palm Beach, Florida, passed away on November 25, 2025, at his favorite place, his fishing cabin in Montague, Michigan.

Herbert, who was known to friends and family as Herb or Herbie, was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee. He attended Purdue University, where he was elected student body president with the campaign slogan "Go Ape With Pear Shape." He was a proud member of the Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity, where he met many lifelong friends.

While in college, he enrolled in ROTC. After graduating with a degree in pharmacy, he served his country for three years as a first lieutenant stationed in Germany in the late 1950s. He frequently told stories about his time there traveling throughout Europe and deer hunting.  Following his time in the military, Herb became a stockbroker in Chicago. His career spanned more than 50 years at brokerage firms including Hallgarten, Dean Witter, and JP Morgan Chase.

Herb loved his work, and many of his clients were dear friends. When he wasn't working, he enjoyed traveling, Purdue football, telling jokes, and golf, which he took up in his 30s and played until he was 90.  But his greatest passions were cigars, barbecuing, and, above all, fishing.  He was rarely seen without a cigar in his mouth, usually unlit.  Using his trusty Weber grill or his smoker, he would cook steaks, chicken, vegetables, fish, pork shoulders, and turkeys.

His love of fishing began when he was a young boy and lasted until the most recent fall salmon season on the White River in Montague, Michigan.  His fishing trips took him to locations from Alaska to the Florida Keys to South America. But his most-loved place was without doubt his cabin in Michigan, where the walls are covered with mounted fish ranging in size from small bluegill to enormous tarpon, along with photos of friends and family with their catches.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Anne and Michael Jablin, and his sister, Marlene Rudner.  He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Sharon Jablin, his daughter, Merle O'Brien (Tom) of Aspen, Colorado, his son, Burton Jablin (Barron Patterson) of Nashville, Tennessee, his grandsons Michael and Ben O'Brien, as well as his first wife Judy Iker Stein, with whom he remained friendly.

Herb's family plans a private celebration of his life in Michigan in the spring. Donations in his memory can be made to the White River Watershed Partnership https://whiteriverwp.org/ or the charity of your choice.

He will forever be remembered at his happiest, sitting on the bank of the White River, fishing pole in his hand, cigar in his mouth, ever hopeful for the next big catch.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, White Lake Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com