Funeral services for John E. DeBoest, 79, of Colo, IA will be 10:00 am Friday May 26, 2006 at Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home in Jefferson. Interment will be in Junction Twp. Cemetery at Grand Junction.

Visitation begins at 10:00am Thursday at Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home in Jefferson, where the family will be present to greet friends between 6:30 – 8:30 pm.

John Emil DeBoest was born April 1, 1927 in Dana, Iowa. He was the son of Joe Henry and Pauline Krueger DeBoest. John became a helpmate to his mother when his father died in 1935. John graduated from Dana High School with the class of 1944.

On June 11, 1944, John entered the United States Navy. He served his country during World War II, and was honorably discharged on February 5, 1946. He returned to Dana and worked at the Grand Junction Telephone Company.

On February 18, 1953, John was united in marriage to Virginia Daisy. They became the parents of one daughter, Susan. The family made their home in Dana, Slater, Nevada and Keystone, Iowa while John worked for the various local phone companies. Upon retiring, John and Virginia made their home in Colo, Iowa. When Virginia became a resident of the Rolling Green Retirement Home, John began volunteering there and enjoyed his time with the residents.

John was a long time member of the American Legion. He and Virginia spent many years collecting antiques, especially buttons. They spent many days traveling the countryside and enjoying life.

John DeBoest died at his home May 22, 2006. He was 79 years of age. Preceding him in death were his parents, his wife, Virginia who died April 10, 2005; one sister, Ida and her husband Darwin Robinson, and half-sister Ruth and her husband Lowell Swansen. .

John is survived by his daughter Susan and three grandsons: Jonathan, Ben, and Scott Peters, all of Westcliff, CO; a sister, Ann Morlan and her husband Ralph of Indianola, IA; a brother, Joe DeBoest and his wife Jean of Clive, IA; a brother-in-law, Arnold Daisy and his wife Barb of Huxley, IA; and special friend Sister Jean Marie Roche, with whom John and Virginia spent many hours gardening. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.