Donald E. Debrie

Don DeBrie was a kind-hearted man who always kept his family in the center of his heart. He was a devoted father and a loving husband. He regarded his family as his greatest accomplishment, and he was the happiest when he was in their warm company. Throughout America, the year 1936 represented a time of challenge and hardship. The Great Depression loomed over the nation, and nearly one out of every four workers was unemployed. In Muskegon, Michigan, Ellsworth DeBrie and his wife Ivah (Schook) DeBrie maintained their optimistic spirits by focusing on the blessings in their life together. On November 6, 1936 they welcomed their son Donald into their home on the family farm in Ravenna, just east of Muskegon. The second of five children, Donald grew up on the farm in Ravenna with the company of his two brothers and two sisters. He and his brothers were assigned the nastier chores, which included collecting urine from the horses for a cosmetic company. Donald attended a one-room schoolhouse. In his free time he enjoyed fishing in Crockery Creek, a hobby that he would pursue in his later life with his son Dennis. The DeBrie family eventually moved out of the farm in Ravenna and settled in Muskegon Heights. Don made friends with many of his neighbors, including Vicki, an attractive young woman who lived in the neighborhood. Their friendship grew into love, and they were soon married. Don and Vicki started their family with the birth of their son Kip, who passed away at just eight months of age. Shortly after his son passed away, Don was drafted into the U.S. Army. During the two years that he served, his second son Chris was born. Tragically, Chris also passed away when he was only three years old. Both children had succumbed to cancer. Because of his sons' health issues, Don was relieved from the six years of duty that he had expected to serve. Don and Vicki were blessed with three more children, one son Dennis and two daughters Tina and Denise. Although their marriage ended in divorce, Don and Vicki remained close friends and they each played an active role in their children's lives. To provide for his family, Don worked for Heritage Hospital in Muskegon Heights as Maintenance Supervisor. He held this job for eleven years, until the hospital closed down. Don enjoyed the work and the environment. He was a handy man, and he could fix just about anything. After Heritage Hospital closed, Don went to work at the Holiday Inn in Muskegon Heights. Here he met his second wife, Judith Hoofman, who also worked for the Holiday Inn as Sales Director. They were married on August 31, 1990. A year before their marriage, Don began to experience the first symptoms of his heart condition and ultimately had a pacemaker installed. Because of his health problems, he could no longer continue to work for Holiday Inn. Don then began working in Service Repair at Michcon. Following open heart surgery and the installation of a new heart valve, he was forced to resign from MichCon in 1991 and go on disability. Although Don missed the working world, and would have worked for ever, he was glad to have more time to help his children on their various home projects and to just spend time with them, with his grandchildren and with his wife Judith. Together, Don and Judith shared a love for travel. Over the years they visited Las Vegas, Disney World, Shanty Creek, and the Upper Peninsula. They especially enjoyed visiting Judith's brother in New Hampshire; he lived on the picturesque lake where "On Golden Pond" was filmed. It was a phenomenal place to fish, and Don loved the tranquility of the natural environment in New England. Don loved to cook. He hated to be indoors, unless he was standing in front of the stove preparing one of his trademark dinners. Judith loved to return home every day to the delicious smells of his cooking. The grandkids especially loved to come over for supper. Don's specialty was pheasant, a meal that always delighted his family. He never wrote down his recipe, and so the exact meal will never be repeated. Don enjoyed spending his time outdoors. He especially liked to garden and to keep himself busy with chores around the house. Judith appreciated the way that he kept everything in proper working order. He was a kind, generous man who savored the many blessings in his life. Don was the happiest when he was outdoors, fishing with his beloved family and close friends. Don was diagnosed with lung cancer in January of 2006. Among the many people whose hearts he touched, he will be greatly missed and frequently remembered. Don died on Tuesday, May 9, 2006. He is survived by his wife Judith; 1 son, Dennis (Tara) DeBrie; 2 daughters, Tina (Sham) DeBrie & Denise (Jeff) Bon; 2 step-sons, Douglas (Cynthia) Hoofman & Mark (Dianne) Hoofman; 1 step-daughter, Amy (Matthew) Heisser; 14 grandchildren, Eric & Paige Heisser, Joshua & Jeniece Bon, Nicole, Jordan, Benjamin, Allison Hoofman, Lindsay, Dan, Scotty Balgooyen, Elyse, Jessica, Andrew Hoofman; his mother, Ivah (Schook) DeBrie; 2 sisters, Jean Lillmars & Hazle Roossien; 1 brother, Leon DeBrie & a half brother, Bill Sumerix; former wife, Vicki DeBrie. He was preceded in death by 2 sons, Chris & Kip. The memorial service for Don will be held on Friday, May 12, 2006, 11:00 AM at Berean Church with Pastor Dwight Reed & Pastor Rick Pilieci officiating. Please visit with Don's family on Thursday, 7-9 PM at clock Funeral Home & Friday, one hour prior to the service at the church. Please visit Don's personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a favorite memory, sign the guestbook, or post a memorial contribution to Berean Church Youth Ministry or Hospice of Muskegon-Oceana.