Martin DeBoer

Marty DeBoer, 77, of Sawyer passed away on Tuesday, December 21, 2021.

Friends may meet with the family from 10 AM – 12 Noon on Saturday January 8th, 2022 at Pike Funeral and Cremation Services, Boyd Chapel 9191 Red Arrow Hwy, Bridgman. In order to protect the vulnerable, masks will be required at the visitation. A private family burial will occur at Graceland Cemetery, Bridgman. A memorial service will be held later in May 2022 at Harbert Community Church 6444 Harbert Rd., Sawyer. Memorial contributions may be made to Michiana Family Center, P.O. Box 398, Edwardsburg, MI, 49112, Harbert Community Church, or Caring Circle, 4025 Health Park Lane, St. Joseph, MI 49085. Online condolences accepted at www.PikeFH.com

Marty was born April 5, 1944 to Lillian (Dykstra) and the late Martin DeBoer. He spent the first 15 years in the Roseland Community on the south side of Chicago, Illinois. At age 15, his family moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan due to his father’s job change. He spent the next 11 years there which included his high school, college, and early professional years. During this time, he fell in love with the southwest Michigan area. He then became involved with campus ministry around the Midwest with Campus Crusade for Christ/CRU. During campus ministry, he met and married Judy Thacker, also a staff member, in 1970. They moved to the Chicago area and eventually bought a home in Oak Park where they lived for over 30 years. Marty started a small retail commercial uniform business and nine years later, expanded by buying an embroidery manufacturing company. Upon selling the uniform business and then the embroidery company in 2007, he and Judy retired to southwest Michigan.

Survivors include his wife, Judy; his children Poppy (Ko’alani) DeBoer, Jon (Rebecca) DeBoer, and Krista DeBoer; his grandchildren Oriah, Waken, Breslin and Lili; his mother Lillian DeBoer; and his sisters Karen (Gerry) Rozema, and Sue (Roger) Levering.