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Cornelius DeBoer

August 29, 1916 - July 24, 2013
Grand Rapids, MI

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Visitation

Sunday, July 28, 2013
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM EDT
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Van Strien Creston Chapel
1833 Plainfield Ave., N.E
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
(616) 361-2613
Driving Directions

Visitation

Monday, July 29, 2013
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM EDT
Northlawn United Methodist Church

Service

Monday, July 29, 2013
11:00 AM EDT
Northlawn United Methodist Church
1157 Northlawn NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
Map

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Northlawn United Methodist church
1157 Northlawn NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Crescent Street Floral
(616) 458-7890
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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With a life that spanned times of great change in the world around him, Cornelius DeBoer was kindhearted and gentle with an unwavering faith as his constant companion. He was never concerned about the things of this world, rather, he was content in whatever life brought his way. Blessed with the love of his life by his side for more than 70 years, Cornelius was a devoted family man who was delighted to witness his family tree blossom to include numerous branches of loved ones who made him so very proud. Although he was never overbearing or boisterous in his faith, Cornelius spoke in quiet whispers of faith, exemplifying what it means to be a man after God’s own heart. A beloved man to numerous others, he will be deeply missed and warmly remembered.

As WWI raged on all around them, the Netherlands held fast to being a neutral country. They successfully maintained this position throughout the duration of the war, and the end of the war in 1919 was certainly a welcome sight. It was during this eventful time that a young couple from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, was delighted with the birth of their healthy baby boy on August 29, 1916. Cornelius, or Neil as he was often known, was the third child born to his parents, Aalt and Styntje (Minnis) DeBoer, and he was joined in the family by his older siblings, Alice and Ralph, and his younger sister, Marie. He also had a brother, Cornelius, who died before Neil was born. Life was anything but easy in the Netherlands during his early years, so with a desire for a better life Neil’s family immigrated to the United States after his grandmother died in the Netherlands when Neil was around four years old. The DeBoer family boarded the SS Rijndam and came through Ellis Island, eventually settling on the Northeast side in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where Neil’s paternal uncle lived.

A young boy in America, Neil experienced a typical upbringing. He enjoyed things like riding bikes and playing ball, but it was during his formative years that Neil uncovered his passion for playing the drums when he was in seventh grade. He was a student at local Christian schools and attended a local church with his family. Their faith was an important aspect of life in the DeBoer family. Neil completed his formal education at Davis Tech where he gained the skills needed to be a machinist.

As a young man, fresh out of school, Neil spent some time working at a band camp, and it was there that he met the young woman who stole his heart. Her name was Doris Post, and a relationship quickly ensued. After dating for a few years Neil married his sweetheart on June 20, 1941, at 2nd Street Methodist Church. As a young couple they were blessed with a son, Jerry, who sadly died as an infant. To support his family, Neil worked as a machinist at Imperial Metal Products. During the early 1940s, Neil was drafted into the Navy, and he served as a machinist on a repair ship, the USS Prometheus, in the Pacific Ocean during WWII. He enjoyed his time in the service and was talented at his job with his perfectionistic tendencies in addition to his ingenuity, handiness, patience, and meticulous nature. Neil was proud to have served throughout the rest of his life and always spoke fondly of his time at sea.

Excited to be reunited with his sweetheart, Neil was thrilled to return to the states. He and Doris were later blessed to welcome two daughters into their hearts and home: Janie and Bonnie. Neil continued working at Imperial Metals where he remained throughout the duration of his career. He enjoyed his job, and he did additional work around the shop like shoveling coal and starting the diesel generator in the morning.

Neil’s main focus in his life was his family. As his wife and children can attest, Neil was firm, but fair, and he was the sort of person who people listened to when he spoke. As a family the DeBoers enjoyed trips to the cottage on Hess Lake every weekend during the summer and for two weeks in July. Neil taught his girls everything he knew about fishing, and he dug a hole for a bonfire in a different place each week. He loved his time at the cottage to relax, but it was also a great place to entertain family and friends.

When looking to fill some of his down time, Neil was a man of many interests. He and Doris were members of what is now Northlawn United Methodist Church since before the building was even constructed. There, Neil served as an usher for many years and also as the financial secretary. As those who knew him can attest, Neil was passionate about playing the drums, and he played in the Saladin Shriners Million Dollar Band for 40 years in addition to a few other bands. In fact, it was only within the past couple of years that he quit playing.

Later in life Neil continued to live life to the fullest. During his retirement years he did some traveling including several trips to the East Coast. Neil was delighted to become a grandfather, and he looked forward to his grandchildren sitting on his lap, having conversations together, or going for a walk. Shortly after retiring he took some woodworking classes, and he loved creating pieces that he could give to each member of his family. Neil read the newspaper from cover to cover in addition to Reader’s Digest and National Geographic. Neil also enjoyed volunteering with North End Community Ministries, with his church, driving friends to appointments and reading with students at a local school.

A man who was compassionate, gentle, and filled with love for his family, Cornelius DeBoer created a lifetime of precious memories shared with those he cherished. With a steadfast faith as his constant companion, he inspired all who knew and loved him. Neil will be dearly missed and warmly remembered.

Mr. Cornelius "Neil" DeBoer, age 96 of Grand Rapids, entered his eternal home with his Lord and Savior on July 24, 2013. Neil was a Naval veteran of WW II and a longtime employee of Imperial Metal Products. He loved music and played the drums in several bands over the years including the Saladin Shrine Million Dollar Band and the Calder City Band. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Doris; their children Janie and Al Gable, and Bonnie and Don Vogel; special niece, Linda (Bruce) Keegstra; grandchildren Noelle Gable, Chris (Sarah)Gable, Steve (Gena) Gable, Scott Vogel, Amy (Kris) Combs, Yuri, Adia, Kira and Mika Keegstra; many great grandchildren, and his brother-in-law Peter (Lorraine) Post. He was preceded in death by his infant son, Jerry, and by his brothers and sisters, Cornelius DeBoer, Alice Beals, Ralph "Rudy" DeBoer, and Marie Olsen. A service to remember and celebrate Neil's life will be held on Monday, July 29 at 11 AM at Northlawn United Methodist Church, 1157 Northlawn St. NE, with Pastors Tim Wright and Thurlan Meridith officiating. Friends are invited to visit with his family on Sunday from 4-7 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home - Van Strien Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield NE, and at church on Monday from 10 AM until the time of the service. Interment in Fairplains Cemetery. For those who wish, memorial contributions to Northlawn UMC are appreciated. To read more about Neil, to share a favorite memory or to sign the online register, please visit www.lifestorynet.com

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