Jack H. DeYoung

Jack H. DeYoung, born on November 22, 1929, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to Nellie (Woodruff) and Herbert DeYoung, met Jesus face-to-face on October 2, 2023.

Jack was a January graduate of the 1948 Kalamazoo Central class. He played on the tennis team and competed in the State championship matches. He graduated from Western Michigan College (now University) where he majored in accounting and finance. His next step was to take what Jack called a “post graduate course”, serving with the U.S. Army in Korea for 16 months as part of the CIC (Counter Intelligence Corp).

Upon returning from Korea, Jack married his first wife, Marjorie Hanshew. He and Marge built their home in the Westwood neighborhood. Being a man who did not like change, Jack lived in that home for the balance of his life. Steve, Karen, and Patti were born into that marriage.

Jack started working at The Upjohn Company as an accounting trainee. During his early career at Upjohn, he traveled extensively to audit the branches of the company. After 38 years, Jack retired from Upjohn as a Senior Purchasing Agent.

Jack grew up in the family home in the Westnedge Hill area of Kalamazoo and played fast pitch softball on teams for Economy Homes and the Post Office. Jack also bowled and golfed for 50+ years. He was able to play a variety of courses around the country on his audit trips for Upjohn. His other hobbies were collecting steins and mugs, and he spent many hours in his workshop on woodworking projects

On October 26, 1991, Jack married Gayle (Rossman) Wilbur. He claimed that he gained another son, cat, and dog with that marriage. Jack was known to be a man with a dry sense of humor and the local historian for his neighborhood. Anytime someone new moved to his block, he would introduce himself and give them the background on the neighborhood.

Jack was also known for his love of the UP and had a cabin on AuTrain Lake for fifty plus years. This wannabe “Yooper” fished morning and evenings on the lake with walleye being his desired target. He and Gayle searched out many of the UP waterfalls and did lots of driving on the seasonal roads to enjoy the beauty of the interior of the area. Fortunately, they only had to forge one stream during their many adventures.

Jack was predeceased by his parents; sisters, Virginia Mae DeYoung and Norma VerWest, Norma’s husband, Don, his first wife, Marge Galvin, and KC, his special dog who had been rescued from an abusive situation. Jack patiently worked with her so she would trust people again and she became a great companion. Jack met many people in the neighborhood from his daily walks with her. Jack was a man who was a joy to know.

Jack leaves behind to talk about their many shared memories: his wife, Gayle; son, Steve (Jo) DeYoung of Algonguin, IL; daughters, Karen DeYoung of Binghamton, NY, and Patti (Scott) Compton of Traverse City, MI; son, Ross (Cindy) Wilbur of Fort Collins, CO, and their two daughters, Ava and Nora; niece, Ginny (Kirk) Weaver and nephew, Bruce (Nancy) Verwest; the Bishop family: Kevin, Melony, Tyler, Haley and Lexi; and special neighbors and friends.

Jack was a man of a deep, quiet faith who grew up at Bethany Reformed and served there as an elder. When Jack married Gayle, they attended Lane Boulevard United Methodist Church. Once, Jack told Norma he was no longer Dutch; he was Methodist.  Her response was that he would always be Dutch and he would always be stubborn. Jack returned to his heritage when he and Gayle joined Hope Church.

A memorial service will be held at Hope Church, 910 Jenks Boulevard, on October 14 at 2:00 p.m., with visitation preceding at 1:00 p.m. Internment of ashes will take place in the Spring at Ft. Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan.

Contributions in Jack’s memory can be made to either Centrica Care Navigators (formerly Southwest Michigan Hospice) or Hope Church where the donations will be directed to the new playground for the neighborhood children. To view Jack’s personalized webpage, please visit https://www.langelands.com.