Robert DeHoff

Robert DeHoff was a man who simply lived to laugh, and especially, to make others laugh. He was the consummate clown, who was always so quick with a laugh, so clever with a joke. Robert was a hard worker, a devoted husband and a loving father, grandfather and great grandfather, but more than anything, he was a man whose greatest love could be found in the laughter of others.

Robert's story began on a cool fall day in 1925, in the sleepy farming town of Portland, Indiana. Those were exciting times in this country, as the Roaring 20s were in their heyday, and the automobile and other innovations were transforming every facet of society. Clearly, there was much to celebrate, especially to Wilmer and Minnie (Lake) DeHoff. On October 15, 1925, a cool fall Thursday in Portland, the couple welcomed their first son, who they named Robert. He joined older sister Mary in the DeHoff home, filling it with lots of love and of course, laughter.

Robert's father worked for Pennsylvania Railroad in Indiana, while his mother sewed corsets in a factory until 1938, when she became a cosmetologist. Eventually his dad took a job at Atlas Press in Michigan, and the family moved north to Portage, a place that was so good to all of them. Some of Robert's fondest memories were of his dad's company picnics at Long Lake on the Fourth of July.

Like so many growing up in 1930s, the family didn't have much in those lean years, but they had a wonderful life together all the same. They spent so much time together, and Robert loved to go fishing with his dad, or have friends and other family over to the house often for dinner and some card games. He and his sister Mary, whom he was so close to, loved to go visit their uncle John on his farm. Like so many boys back then, Robert also loved to play baseball with his friends.

Of course, also like so many young men of his era, Robert never finished high school, opting instead to set out into the workforce to help his family. When he was just 16, he ran off to become a truck driver, wanting to help his struggling family.

When Robert was a young man, he met a wonderful woman named Carol, and the two really hit it off. They began dating, and it wasn't long before they realized they were soul mates, and were married. They were perfect for each other in so many ways, truly best friends as well as husband and wife. The secret to their marriage was easy to see: Carol loved to laugh, and Robert loved to make her laugh. He was always pulling a fast one on his beloved wife, like sending her to the meat market in Kalamazoo to pick up some "square steak"! She always laughed about his pranks on her, though. Well, almost always.

Together Robert and Carol were blessed with three wonderful children, Steven, Sandra and Shelly, filling their home with even more energy and laughter, along with Andrea and Penni. Robert was so proud of his children, and the days each of them were born were some of the best days of his life.

The family made so many great memories together over the years, especially the time they got stuck on a mountaintop in Tennessee! Carol wrote a song about it, while Robert sat poolside back at the motel, with a bandana around his head to keep the bugs he'd collected from the adventure out of his big ears!

Robert provided for his family through his career as a truck driver, a job he loved. Being the funny, outgoing person he was, he of course made many friends through his career, and played practical jokes at almost every one of his stops! Sadly, a semi accident left Robert with back and neck injuries, and forced him to take early retirement. He found plenty of ways to fill his time, though. Early in life, Robert's motto was "Work hard, play hard," but in retirement it became "work a little, rest a lot!"

He and Carol enjoyed their retirement very much, despite Robert's injuries limiting him. They bought a fifth wheel and lived part-time in Florida for a few years, before buying a home and staying in Florida year-round. Most of all, Robert enjoyed his retirement for the time it gave him to spend with his friends at the Eagles Lodge, where he was a lifetime member, the American Legion, and of course, with his beloved wife and family.

All of Robert's greatest days were spent with them, from the special wedding anniversary party he and Carol threw in their backyard on Meredith, to the 75th surprise party - and later, 80th surprise party - his family threw for him. His 80th party was particularly special; a party he said was his best birthday ever.

Of course, every day with his family was a great day for Robert, every day he could make them laugh, or make them smile. He always loved his family most of all, and would do anything for them. He was always doing something for someone else.

Robert was a wonderful man, such a happy, kind person, the kind of person who could always make you laugh. He was the ultimate clown, his true passion, mission and gift. Robert is gone now, but the gift of his laughter, and his life, lives on in all who knew him. He will be greatly missed.

Robert Leon DeHoff, passed away at his daughters home in Kalamazoo, Michigan on August 27, 2006 from complications of diabetes. Robert was proceded in death by his parents Wilmer and Minnie DeHoff, his wife of 43 years Carol Ann in 1996; his grandson Brian Sherfield in 2002; sister, Betty DeHoff. Surviving are his five Children, Andrea (Art) Kidney, of Portage; Penni (Don) Richards, of Kalamazoo; Steven (Kelly) DeHoff, of Wilits, CA; Sandra (Michael) Crawford, of Mattawan; and Shelly (John) Alban, of Mt Dora, FL; siblings: Mary Parker, of Zellwood, FL; and Lawrence DeHoff, of Saginaw, MI. He is also survived by eight grandchildren: Lisa Malony, Eric Sherfield, Stacy Thomas, Jamie George, Sara Crawford, Christopher Hillard, and Cary and Matere Alban. Seven Great Grandchildren Stephen Malony, Hunter, Rylee and Ella Rose Thomas, Keagan and Ethan Sherfield, and Karly George; and Companion and Caregiver for several years, Marilyn Reynolds. Robert will be laid to rest with his wife at Mount Ever-Rest Memorial Park, a private memorial service will be held there. There will be a public visitation Sunday, September 10th from 1 to 3 PM at the RDMG Life Story Funeral Home Portage Chapel. Learn more about Robert by visiting his Today™ Page at www.todaycenter.com where you can read his life story, archive a favorite memory, or make a memorial donation to the American Diabetes Association or to the Hospice of Van Buren County 310 East Sherwood Street Decatur, MI 49045-1148.

The family is being assisted by the Today™ Center of Battle Creek located at the corner of Capital Ave SW and Territorial 965-7200.