Zeeland hunter asphyxiates in van, dies

MEADE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - A West Michigan hunter was found dead of asphyxiation at a camp site northeast of Ludington Thursday morning.
 
A family member identified the man as 54-year-old Rich DeBoer of Zeeland.

24 Hour News 8 was told DeBoer was found deceased by his adult son at around 8:30 Thursday morning in his van at the Manistee National Forest campsite.  

"He was all excited," said Jack Gritter. "They were all excited about him and his son Aaron going up hunting together for the first time in four years and then this happened."

Gritter told 24 Hour News 8 DeBoer left West Michigan Wednesday so he would be ready for the very beginning of hunting season. Gritter said DeBoer was at the site with several of his brothers and his son.  

Girtter said the brothers stayed in a nearby cabin, his son stayed in a tent, but DeBoer decided to sleep in his van and turned on a propane heater to stay warm.  

"It's something that's easy to do. You don't think about that," he said. "You get in and get in the van and turn the heater on you don't think that this heater's going to eat up all the oxygen in here."

Gritter said DeBoer's son found his father Thursday morning.  

"You never know when your time is. I've had heart attacks and I'm still here and he's had no problems and something like that is unreal," said Gritter.  

When Mason County Sheriff's deputies were called to scene on Tyndal Road north of Free Soil Road, they determined DeBoer likely died of asphyxiation. The incident remains under investigation.

"He just went to sleep and never woke up," said Gritter.

Gritter's wife and DeBoer are divorced but they share three adult children together. Gritter said the children are his main concern at this point.  

"They're not doing good at all," said Gritter. "They just lost their father, something that's not supposed to happen at this age."

Gritter asked that people pray for DeBoer's family, saying that religion is important to the family.

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DeBoer was a Sunday school teacher and Deacon of Community Reformed Church, according to a Friday obituary. He was owner and operator of "Nip N Tuck" Carpet business and also worked as a restaurant manager for 25 years.

Visitation services are set for Sunday, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Lakeshore Memorial Services in Holland. Funeral services are set for Monday at 11 a.m. at Community Reformed Church in Zeeland. Burial will follow at Pilgrim Home Cemetery.

In leiu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Community Reformed Church. Memorial messages may be left at the Lakeshore Memorial website.