Eddy DeBoer, a former Phillipsburg resident, passed away on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at the Via Christi Village in Hays, KS, at the age of 85. Born on July 7, 1939, in Prairie View, KS, he was the son of John Edward and Esther Eunice (Nonhof) DeBoer.
Eddy married Anita Louise Jansonius on December 19, 1959, in Bethany, MO. He dedicated his career to the Phillips County Road and Bridge Department in Phillipsburg, where he was recognized as having the best oiled roads in Kansas, eventually retiring as the Road and Bridge Supervisor in 2001—a role he deeply cherished. He spent countless weekends and evenings working alongside his children in the Grader, creating sand rows and performing various tasks.
Outside of work, Eddy was a devoted family man, maybe a little strict at times, but he traveled far and wide to support his children in their numerous sporting events. He was also a man of faith, regularly attending church with his family. Above all, his pride and joy were his grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents John and Esther; stepmother Winifred; sister Joan McLeod; brother's-in-law Wally Schmeichel and John Jansonius; sister and brother-in-law Keith and Georgia Brown; parents-in-law William and Vivian Jansonius; and nephews Jared DeBoer and Stephen Brown.
Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Anita of Hays, KS; son Jerol DeBoer and wife Denise of Hays, KS; daughters Cindy Vink and husband Kenny of Ellinwood, KS, Tammy Slayton of Hays, Rhonda Kellerman and husband Kerry of Phillipsburg, Lisa Thummel and husband Jeff of Hays, and Lori Bogart of Hays; 14 grandchildren: Lyndsae Schoenthaler and husband Derek, Gavin Vink, Briana DeBoer, Brooke Slayton, Jordan Imel and husband Lucas, Jaron Kellerman, Jacey Kellerman, Kelsee Walker and husband Austin, Taylor DeBoer, Kaiden Grieve and wife Shelby, Megan Stouffer and husband Lucas, Kali DeBey and husband Damon, Alex Bogart, and Kambri Bogart; 14 great grandchildren (with one on the way): Josey, Canon, Luke, Maggie, Blakely, Brecklyn, Barrett, Emerie, Renlie, Alita, Anika, Jeremiah, Noah, and Abel; a brother Dennis DeBoer and wife Bernita of Kearney, NE; a sister Jean Schmeichel of Fitchburg, WI; brother-in-law Van Jansonius and wife Cay; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 6, 2025 at the United Methodist Church in Phillipsburg with Pastor Gary Simon officiating. The services will be streamed live on the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel Facebook page. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery, Phillipsburg.
Mr. DeBoer will lie in state from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg. The family will receive friends Sunday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. for visitation at the funeral chapel.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Brookdale Senior Living and the Hospice at Hays Med c/o Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, PO Box 563, Phillipsburg, KS 67661.
Online condolences may be left at www.olliffboeve.com.