He was born on February 9, 1927, on the family farm near Union Mills, Iowa to Arthur and Gertie Hasselmann DeBoef. He was raised on the family farm and attended rural school. He also attended the former Clutchin College in Oskaloosa. He served with the U.S. Marine Corp during the Korean Conflict. On February 20, 1951, he was married to Marie Elrod in Prairie City, Iowa. The couple lived near New Sharon and Prairie City, where they operated a grain and livestock farm. He also was in the banking business in Prairie City and Freeborn, Minnesota. Following his retirement he worked in the hardware business in Albert Lea. Mr. and Mrs. DeBoef moved to Grinnell, Iowa in June of 2002. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Grinnell and the Calvary Baptist Church, while living in Albert Lea. He was past president of the Lions Club in Prairie City and a member of the Jasper County Banker's Association and the Farmer's Co-op Board in Prairie City. Survivors include his wife, Marie DeBoef of Grinnell; one daughter, Lee Plisch of Grinnell; three sons, Wayne DeBoef of Buffalo, MN, Dan DeBoef of Mitchellville and Jim DeBoef of St. Ansgar, Iowa; ten grandchildren; and two brothers, Floyd DeBoef of Madisonville, TN and Gene DeBoef of Punta Gorda, Florida. He was preceded in death by his parents and one grandson, Michael DeBoef. Memorials may be directed to Youth Ministries and sent in care of the Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, Iowa 50112.