Carl R. DeBlaey, 89, of Oostburg, went to his Heavenly home, peacefully surrounded by his
loving family on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice following
a brief illness.
Carl was born in the Town of Holland on February 2, 1934 to Elmer and Laureen (Gabrielse)
DeBlaey. He graduated from Oostburg High School in 1952 and served his country overseas in
Germany with the US Army from 1954 – 1956. He returned home and began a 37 year career
at Gabe’s Construction as a heavy equipment operator and was a member of the Operating
Engineers Local 139. In his retirement years he enjoyed being a shuttle driver for Airport
Connection.
Carl and Betty J. DenBoer were united in marriage on October 22, 1960 at The First Christian
Reformed Church in Sheboygan. They made their home in Oostburg where they raised 3
children.
Carl was a member of Bethel Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Oostburg where he served as
Deacon and Elder. He also served as a school board member of both Oostburg Christian School
and Sheboygan County Christian High School.
Carl enjoyed many activities with his family and friends including camping, boating, water
skiing, hunting and golfing. Carl and Betty loved to travel with their trailer spending many
winters in Florida and also enjoyed taking bus tours together which took them to many parts
of the country, touching 49 states. In recognition of his service in the Korean War, Carl was
proud to be an honored veteran on the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight in 2018.
Carl is survived by his wife of 62 years, Betty, and their children: Keith (Brenda) DeBlaey of
Oostburg, Craig DeBlaey of Sheboygan, and Sheila Heinen of Sheboygan. He is further survived
by his grandchildren: Jennifer (Jordan) Schuessler, Derrick DeBlaey, Aaron (Morgan) DeBlaey,
Allison Heinen, Jacob (Abigail) Heinen, and Joseph Heinen; great-grandchildren: Addie and
Owen Schuessler, Henry DeBlaey, and Liam Ordonez; siblings Marilyn (Roger) DeMaster and
Lois (Tom) Armour; brother-in-law Gordon DenBoer; sister-in-laws Marilyn DeBlaey and Janice
DenBoer; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by siblings: Chester (Tannie) DeBlaey, Nelda DeBlaey, Dorothy (Matt
and Marlyse) VanStelle, Jerome (Beverly) DenBoer and Howard DenBoer.
Funeral services will be held at 12 pm on Saturday, June 24 at Bethel Orthodox Presbyterian
Church in Oostburg. All are welcome to watch a livestream of the service by visiting
wenig.live/CarlDeBlaey. The family will receive visitors at the church from 10 am – 12 pm. Carl
will be laid to rest at Oostburg Cemetery in the Town of Holland, where military honors will
take place.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff at Sharon S. Richardson
Community Hospice, Meadowview Health Center and St Nicholas Hospital, along with Dr
Gesch, Dr Gupta, Dr Bettag and Dr Coulis for their kind and compassionate care and comfort
that was given to Carl.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Sheboygan County Cancer Care
Fund (SCCCF) or Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice.
For online condolences and additional information please visit www.wenigfh.com. The staff at
Wenig Funeral Home in Oostburg (920-564-2771) is assisting the family.
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