Justin “Gus” Mathew Haubrich, age 37, of Fowler, Illinois, died February 6, 2026. He was born on August 19, 1988, in Quincy, the eldest of three sons of Timothy Leo and Kristie Ann (Bigelow) Haubrich. Justin married Michelle Naomi Meador on November 7, 2015. Justin has been known to refer to his and Michelle’s relationship as ladder rungs, helping each other walk upward in life. Together, Justin and Michelle were lovingly raising four children, Elijah, Isiah, and the twins, Ezekiel and Israel.

After graduating from Quincy Notre Dame High School in 2006, Justin attended Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville to study visual arts and music while working several “overnight jobs”. In 2011, when his dad offered Justin a job at P.A.M. Printers, he jumped at the opportunity to return to Quincy, learning the printing and press trade beside his grandfather, Ron. Justin took pride in being a fifth-generation leader in the family business, starting out in the press room, eventually moving to sales and marketing. A natural salesman like many of his forbears, Justin was a charismatic communicator; this trait, along with his understanding of the overlap of engineering concepts with graphic design, allowed Justin to grow into his role in the legacy family print shop.

Justin’s natural affinity for music began in grade school at St. Peter’s and heartily nurtured by his parents. As the first chair saxophone in the Parochial Music Organization Band, he moved on to being the first chair in the Quincy Notre Dame High School Band, which led him to being a member of the Quincy College Jazz Band while still in high school. He garnered many awards for playing his sax, including the national John Philip Sousa Award. Justin made sure that his brothers, Aaron and Zak, played instruments that would complement his sax and later, the guitar, so they could form a band. Justin led his brothers in true “blood harmony” style – their brotherly musical bond, with its tight, intuitive sound formed the foundation for many of their musical projects, most notably The Gentlemen and the Silver Bullets. These two bands are Quincy favorites, with fans of all ages coming to dance, tap their toes, and enjoy the tunes. Kristie and Tim rarely missed a performance, with Justin sweating into his instrument and pouring his soul into each note, while Aaron kept the steady beat. When Justin wasn’t making his own music, he encouraged other musicians, lifting up the musical community he was an integral part of.

One would be hard pressed to find a more devoted dad; albeit one who dreamt up and utilized creative parenting skills: ask any of Justin’s boys about the Get Along Shirt – when two of the boys would bicker or outright fight, they’d have to don one of Justin’s gigantic t-shirts, both of their towheads coming out of the neck hole – and they’d need to stay there, bound together and glowering at each other until they made their peace.

Once Justin met Michelle, he became more engaged in his faith journey, which began at his baptism, as witnessed by his godmother, Mary Haubrich, his godfather, Mark Bigelow, and many faithful family members. Never a proselytizer, Justin believed in living by example, as demonstrated by his and Michelle’s leadership with the Great River Teens Encounter Christ movement. It was a rare Sunday that the St. Peter’s Parish faithful didn’t find Justin, Michelle, and their energetic brood in the front pew of 11 a.m. mass.
Justin’s convivial and engaging demeanor could belie the thinker and seeker he was. His spiritual growth blossomed from his intellect, allowing him to be the fun, funny, goofy, loving human he was. He was “there” for everyone – when Nonnie or Grandma Bonnie needed an errand run or a piece of furniture moved, Justin dropped everything to assist; when a friend called due to a broken heart, Justin listened and offered solace; when a musician buddy doubted himself, Justin buoyed him up. A man of steadfast convictions, he was no pushover but opened his arms and heart with no judgement, ready to be leaned on, putting it all into Justin perspective. Justin will be missed by all who knew him.

In addition to his wife, Michelle, and their four sons (Elijah, Isiah, and the twins, Ezekiel and Israel), Justin is survived by his parents, Timothy Leo and Kristie Ann (Bigelow), his beloved brother, Aaron (Brittany) Haubrich; his nephews and niece: Chase (also his godson), Daegen, and Eloise (Louie); his goddaughter, Reese Ludwig; maternal grandmother, Sigrid Bigelow; paternal grandmother, Bonnie Haubrich, all of Quincy; and his in-laws, Kenneth and Rhonda (Meador) Mowen of Mendon IL, and Frederick Thomen of Ramseur, NC.

Also, aunts and uncles: Ann Haubrich (Art Dwyer) of St. Louis; Sherry Haubrich Ellis (Gary Ellis) and Mary Haubrich (Chris Livingston) of Kansas City, Missouri; Tony Haubrich (Debbie Rhineberger) and Karn Haubrich of Quincy; Wayne (Sharon) Bigelow of Bradenton, Florida; Cliff (Dianna) Bigelow of Lake St. Louis, Missouri; Jeff (Kathy) Bigelow, Mark Bigelow (Ching-Fen) and Tammy Bigelow, all of Quincy. Many cousins, musical kin, and friends also survive. This recounting of Justin’s life would be remiss if it did not mention Justin’s family’s animal friends: Wally the corgi, Willie the chocolate lab, Six the horse, Blue the rabbit, Rocky the turtle, and numerous chickens.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Zak; and both of his grandfathers, Richard (Dick) Bigelow and Ron Haubrich.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, February 16, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. in the Church of St. Peter with celebrant Father Leo Enlow. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at St. Peter’s. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Michelle Haubrich Family.