Paul Arie DeBeeld died on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016, at Christian Health Care Center in Lynden.
He leaves his wife of 52 years, Joyce; daughter Audrey Honcoop and her husband Ron; son Gary DeBeeld and his wife Jodi; daughter Connie Henry and her husband Wallace; 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; four sisters-in-law and four bothers-in-law; and many close friends.
Born and raised in Ferndale, a son of Arie and Willemina Van Dyke-DeBeeld, Paul was a lifelong resident of Lynden.
In his early years, Paul worked for Bogaard Hay, the City of Lynden, Visser Oil and Vander Griend Lumber and he finished his career as head custodian at Lynden Christian High School. For five years Paul and his wife Joyce owned the Lynden Big Scoop Restaurant. Paul was a Lynden volunteer fireman for 27 years and served on the parks department advisory board as well as the consistory board at First Reformed Church in Lynden.
It was love at first sight when he met his wife, Joyce Haveman, while working in a local bean patch; they married in 1963.
Paul enjoyed singing with the Kings Men of Song and New Life’s Men’s Chorus. He had a passion for fishing, woodworking, watching sports and traveling with Joyce in their motorhome. He made new friends wherever he went.
A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 30, in First Reformed Church of Lynden at 10 a.m., with a private burial.
In lieu of flowers, Paul requested to start a fund for installing an elevator at his church, First Reformed Church, 610 Grover St., Lynden, WA 98264. He wanted to make sure that everyone could go to church if they wanted to attend.
You are invited to share your condolences and memories in the online guestbook at www.gilliesfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Lynden.
