John
John Deboer
John E. DeBoer of Kalamazoo passed away Thursday, June 1, 2017 following a tragic accident. John was doing what he loved, working on his sailboat. He was born March 18, 1946 in Kalamazoo to John and Eleanor (DeLong) Deboer. John loved sailing and working on his boat but his true passion was farming.
On March 11, 1968 he married Patricia Leedy who survives. Also surviving are his daughters, Virginia DeBoer and Spring DeBoer and 4 grandchildren, Kailey DeBoer, Joshua, Levi and Lilly DeBoer; brother-in-law David Leedy and sister-in-law, Sharon (Champ) Eisenhardt and many beloved friends. John was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings. According to John’s wishes cremation has taken place.
Contributions in memory of John may be made to a charity of your choice.
Messages of condolence may be posted at www.
WinkelFuneralHome.com.
Offer Condolence for the family of John DeBoer
Condolence Messages
Valerie Cleveland
June 2, 2017 at 1:44 pm
I am so sorry. My prayers are for all of you right now.
Valerie
Reply
Klotz Family
June 2, 2017 at 2:06 pm
So so sorry for your loss. May the Lord keep you in his arms during this tragic time.
Reply
Ticia
June 2, 2017 at 3:26 pm
All my love, thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Reply
Kimberly Conklin
June 2, 2017 at 4:35 pm
So sorry for your loss….Our prayers are with you all.
Reply
Becky Wolf and Chase
June 2, 2017 at 5:02 pm
Pat, Ginny, Spring and families,
I am so sorry for your family’s loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time.
Reply
Maryln Langeance
June 2, 2017 at 6:27 pm
Pat Don’t know if you remember me from Parker but I worked with John. Always enjoyed his stories. So sorry for your loss
Reply
Dan Klein
June 3, 2017 at 7:56 am
Pat, I am so sorry and please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and hope you know that I am there if you should need anything.
Reply
Don and Janice Stanfill
June 3, 2017 at 8:27 am
Pat, words could never explain our sorrow we have for you and your family. John was a good boss and friend to me,and we sure loved running into you two at breakfast. Wish you all our best and prayers, friend always. Don Stanfill
Reply
Al & Karen (Timmerman) Ullrich
June 3, 2017 at 9:45 am
Pat…We were so shocked and saddened when we heard of John’s death. You know we hold many fond memories of both of you and hold you dear to our hearts. As a kid, John was like an older brother to me. We often rode horses together. He on his best horse, Pal, who he could send home from Ravine Rd to F Ave; and Pal would find his way safely home. Lovely memories. Our deepest sympathies to you and your loved ones.
Reply
Gary deBoer
June 4, 2017 at 12:36 am
Pat, Virginia, Spring,
I am very sorry to read that uncle John has passed. He was an amazing soul. I have many fond memories of him.
My heart and thoughts go to you all…
Gary
Reply
Deby Wynne
June 4, 2017 at 10:02 am
My heartfelt sympathies to Aunt Pat, Ginny and Spring. Uncle John was a wonderful man. He will be missed
Reply
Sally and Robert Fredenburg
June 4, 2017 at 11:58 am
Pat: We were so sorry to hear about John. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. John was a good man. He will be greatly missed.
Reply
Mia Browning
June 4, 2017 at 7:42 pm
Virginia,
I was so very sorry to hear of the loss of your dad. You’re in our thoughts and prayers.
Reply
Ekema family
June 4, 2017 at 8:27 pm
So sorry for your loss, our prayers go out to you and your family
Reply
Cheri DeBoer-Stinson
June 5, 2017 at 8:53 am
I think of Uncle John as a DeBoer doer – Always busy, working on the farm, the house, sailing, helping and loving his family. I know his absence is going to be such a loss for Pat, the girls and his grandkids – he was such a great role model and I am so sad that he had to leave us all so soon.
Reply
Pauline and Henry Keiser
June 5, 2017 at 9:05 am
So sorry for your loss, John will be missed in so many ways, his smile, a wave or his personality. God Bless you Pat and all the family and heartfelt sympathies to all.
Reply
Mark and Teri McCoy
June 5, 2017 at 10:57 am
We are so saddened to hear about Farmer Johns passing. We only knew him from him farming the land next to our home. We just had a long conversation with him right before his accident while he was plowing up the field to plant his corn. Our dog actually followed him, we prancing behind his tractor, it was so cute how he took right to him. We are so sorry for your loss and will miss seeing him out in the field.
Reply
Venah Ray
June 5, 2017 at 2:52 pm
Pat, Ginny, Spring and grandchildren
Our thoughts are with you at this time of sorrow. John was such a nice hardworking neighbor. We think back over the years to kittens from your barn, hay from your fields, strawberries from Bob’s, a tow to a teenager driver, and equine advice. John will be missed.
Guy and Venah Ray
Reply
Jeanette and Carl Sikkenga
June 5, 2017 at 8:13 pm
sad to hear of your lose! John was one of the first persons I met after moving to Kalamazoo. He will be missed. Carl and I enjoyed sharing a breakfast table with John and Pat for many years a Colonial Kitchen.
Reply
Gary and Linda Phillips
June 6, 2017 at 7:46 am
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
Reply
Donna Henderson
June 6, 2017 at 9:49 am
Pat and family so sorry for your loss. Bill & Donna
Reply
Mary Vlietstra
June 6, 2017 at 5:27 pm
Our sincere sympathy in the sudden loss of John. He was a good neighbor who we enjoyed talking and working with. Praying for your family.
Reply
VELDS
June 9, 2017 at 9:31 am
FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS WE ARE SO VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS!
Reply
Kathy Dennany
June 14, 2017 at 12:25 pm
John was my swim teacher for many years u will be very well missed Sending prayers to his family and everyone who know He was a good man Kathy sites Dennany
Reply
Don & Sherry (Meacham) Hurlbut
June 20, 2017 at 7:40 am
We were saddened to hear of John’s passing. I went to school with John from elementary school through high school. He was always polite and fun to talk to. Don went to high school with John and worked with him at Parker Hannifin. We both have good memories. Although his life was shortened, it gave us some peace knowing he was doing what he loved. Our prayers go out to your family.
Reply
Tom & Susan (Jerrett) Sawasky, Jerry Jerrett
June 30, 2017 at 10:33 pm
Please accept our deepest sympathy on the loss of John. He and my brother Jerry used to ride their horses Scout and Pal together. Jerry was unable to attend the service due to a massive stroke 1 1/2 years ago. He was exposed to Agent Orange in Viet Nam and lives in a nursing home. He always spoke so highly of John. We went to Twin Lakes School together.
Reply
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On March 11, 1968 he married Patricia Leedy who survives. Also surviving are his daughters, Virginia DeBoer and Spring DeBoer and 4 grandchildren, Kailey DeBoer, Joshua, Levi and Lilly DeBoer; brother-in-law David Leedy and sister-in-law, Sharon (Champ) Eisenhardt and many beloved friends. John was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings. According to John’s wishes cremation has taken place.
Contributions in memory of John may be made to a charity of your choice.
Messages of condolence may be posted at www.
WinkelFuneralHome.com.
Offer Condolence for the family of John DeBoer
Condolence Messages
Valerie Cleveland
June 2, 2017 at 1:44 pm
I am so sorry. My prayers are for all of you right now.
Valerie
Reply
Klotz Family
June 2, 2017 at 2:06 pm
So so sorry for your loss. May the Lord keep you in his arms during this tragic time.
Reply
Ticia
June 2, 2017 at 3:26 pm
All my love, thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Reply
Kimberly Conklin
June 2, 2017 at 4:35 pm
So sorry for your loss….Our prayers are with you all.
Reply
Becky Wolf and Chase
June 2, 2017 at 5:02 pm
Pat, Ginny, Spring and families,
I am so sorry for your family’s loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time.
Reply
Maryln Langeance
June 2, 2017 at 6:27 pm
Pat Don’t know if you remember me from Parker but I worked with John. Always enjoyed his stories. So sorry for your loss
Reply
Dan Klein
June 3, 2017 at 7:56 am
Pat, I am so sorry and please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and hope you know that I am there if you should need anything.
Reply
Don and Janice Stanfill
June 3, 2017 at 8:27 am
Pat, words could never explain our sorrow we have for you and your family. John was a good boss and friend to me,and we sure loved running into you two at breakfast. Wish you all our best and prayers, friend always. Don Stanfill
Reply
Al & Karen (Timmerman) Ullrich
June 3, 2017 at 9:45 am
Pat…We were so shocked and saddened when we heard of John’s death. You know we hold many fond memories of both of you and hold you dear to our hearts. As a kid, John was like an older brother to me. We often rode horses together. He on his best horse, Pal, who he could send home from Ravine Rd to F Ave; and Pal would find his way safely home. Lovely memories. Our deepest sympathies to you and your loved ones.
Reply
Gary deBoer
June 4, 2017 at 12:36 am
Pat, Virginia, Spring,
I am very sorry to read that uncle John has passed. He was an amazing soul. I have many fond memories of him.
My heart and thoughts go to you all…
Gary
Reply
Deby Wynne
June 4, 2017 at 10:02 am
My heartfelt sympathies to Aunt Pat, Ginny and Spring. Uncle John was a wonderful man. He will be missed
Reply
Sally and Robert Fredenburg
June 4, 2017 at 11:58 am
Pat: We were so sorry to hear about John. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. John was a good man. He will be greatly missed.
Reply
Mia Browning
June 4, 2017 at 7:42 pm
Virginia,
I was so very sorry to hear of the loss of your dad. You’re in our thoughts and prayers.
Reply
Ekema family
June 4, 2017 at 8:27 pm
So sorry for your loss, our prayers go out to you and your family
Reply
Cheri DeBoer-Stinson
June 5, 2017 at 8:53 am
I think of Uncle John as a DeBoer doer – Always busy, working on the farm, the house, sailing, helping and loving his family. I know his absence is going to be such a loss for Pat, the girls and his grandkids – he was such a great role model and I am so sad that he had to leave us all so soon.
Reply
Pauline and Henry Keiser
June 5, 2017 at 9:05 am
So sorry for your loss, John will be missed in so many ways, his smile, a wave or his personality. God Bless you Pat and all the family and heartfelt sympathies to all.
Reply
Mark and Teri McCoy
June 5, 2017 at 10:57 am
We are so saddened to hear about Farmer Johns passing. We only knew him from him farming the land next to our home. We just had a long conversation with him right before his accident while he was plowing up the field to plant his corn. Our dog actually followed him, we prancing behind his tractor, it was so cute how he took right to him. We are so sorry for your loss and will miss seeing him out in the field.
Reply
Venah Ray
June 5, 2017 at 2:52 pm
Pat, Ginny, Spring and grandchildren
Our thoughts are with you at this time of sorrow. John was such a nice hardworking neighbor. We think back over the years to kittens from your barn, hay from your fields, strawberries from Bob’s, a tow to a teenager driver, and equine advice. John will be missed.
Guy and Venah Ray
Reply
Jeanette and Carl Sikkenga
June 5, 2017 at 8:13 pm
sad to hear of your lose! John was one of the first persons I met after moving to Kalamazoo. He will be missed. Carl and I enjoyed sharing a breakfast table with John and Pat for many years a Colonial Kitchen.
Reply
Gary and Linda Phillips
June 6, 2017 at 7:46 am
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
Reply
Donna Henderson
June 6, 2017 at 9:49 am
Pat and family so sorry for your loss. Bill & Donna
Reply
Mary Vlietstra
June 6, 2017 at 5:27 pm
Our sincere sympathy in the sudden loss of John. He was a good neighbor who we enjoyed talking and working with. Praying for your family.
Reply
VELDS
June 9, 2017 at 9:31 am
FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS WE ARE SO VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS!
Reply
Kathy Dennany
June 14, 2017 at 12:25 pm
John was my swim teacher for many years u will be very well missed Sending prayers to his family and everyone who know He was a good man Kathy sites Dennany
Reply
Don & Sherry (Meacham) Hurlbut
June 20, 2017 at 7:40 am
We were saddened to hear of John’s passing. I went to school with John from elementary school through high school. He was always polite and fun to talk to. Don went to high school with John and worked with him at Parker Hannifin. We both have good memories. Although his life was shortened, it gave us some peace knowing he was doing what he loved. Our prayers go out to your family.
Reply
Tom & Susan (Jerrett) Sawasky, Jerry Jerrett
June 30, 2017 at 10:33 pm
Please accept our deepest sympathy on the loss of John. He and my brother Jerry used to ride their horses Scout and Pal together. Jerry was unable to attend the service due to a massive stroke 1 1/2 years ago. He was exposed to Agent Orange in Viet Nam and lives in a nursing home. He always spoke so highly of John. We went to Twin Lakes School together.
Reply
Leave a Condolence
Cancel reply
Please share your message of condolence with the family, It will be visible to the public but your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked
*
Comment
*
Name
*
*
Δ
Obituary Notification Service
Enter your email address if you would like to be notified when a new obituary notice is posted:
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How do I send a condolence
At the bottom of this page, you will find a condolence form. You will need to fill out some basic information prior to typing your message. (We will not share your e-mail address with anyone) Once you are finished, simply click the submit condolence button. The condolence will be approved before it is published to the web site.
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