Robert Lee Deboer

Robert Lee DeBoer was born February 10, 1944 to William (Bill) and Rose Wenz DeBoer at Fairbury, NE.  He passed away on June 5, 2021 at Heritage Care Center in Fairbury at the age of 77 years, 3 months and 26 days.

He was baptized June 4, 1944 at Grace Lutheran Church in Fairbury.  His parents and family joined the American Lutheran Church when it was officially organized on September 28, 1947.  He attended District 40 Pleasant Valley Country School up through eighth grade, then graduated from Fairbury High School in 1961.  He was confirmed on April 6, 1958 by Pastor Clair Geibert at American Lutheran Church.

After graduation he was employed at the Fairbury Planing Mill.  Several years later he was hired as a brakeman on the Rock Island Railroad. After several years of the brakeman position he was promoted to Engineer in May of 1973 until the Rock Island shut down in 1980.  He then went to work for the City of Fairbury as a lineman and eventually became lineman superintendent.  He retired in 2006 after 26 years with the City.  During most of his years of employment he was also active on the Fire Department as a rural volunteer.

He enlisted into the Army National Guard on February 15, 1961.  He spent six months active duty at Fort Ord, CA from February, 1962 to August, 1962.  After his completion of active duty, he continued in the Army National Guard Reserve for the remainder of his eight year term.  He was honorably discharged on January 31, 1969.

He was united in marriage to Joyce Schultz on September 8, 1963 at Grace Lutheran Church in Fairbury and to this union three children were born – Darcie, Daniel, and Darren.

He enjoyed camping, boating and fishing with his family.  He also enjoyed hunting occasionally with his son Dan.

He is survived by his wife Joyce; daughter Darcie Dufoe and husband Jeff of Aubrey, TX and son Dan DeBoer and wife Deb of Fairbury; grandchildren, Brandi Dufoe of Denton, TX and Jadrian Dufoe of Aubrey, TX,  Nicole DeBoer and significant other Tyler Davis,  Seth DeBoer & wife Amy, all of Fairbury, Tyler DeBoer of Bremerton, WA; great grandson Theodore Robert DeBoer, of Fairbury; great granddaughter Kenzie Davis of Fairbury; sisters, Lillian Adams of Fairbury, Frieda Taylor of Tulsa, OK, brother, Rich DeBoer and wife Kitty of Fairbury and numerous other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents William (Bill) and Rose DeBoer, son Darren DeBoer, sister Eunice Kelley, nephew Mike Taylor, brother-in-law Ray Taylor.

A celebration of Life Service will be Monday, June 14, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at the American Lutheran Church in Fairbury.  The family will greet friends from 4 – 6 Sunday evening at the Funeral Home.  Memorials have been established to the Family's Choice.   Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. www.gerdesmeyerfh.com