Cindy Mae (Lanius) DeBacker-Boje died in her home on April 13th, 2025 in New Port Richey, Florida at the age of 67.

Cindy is survived by her children Ezekiel and Brittany DeBacker of Holiday, Florida; Leslie (DeBacker) Katz of Marshall, Michigan; Jonas and Andrea DeBacker of Clive, Iowa; Silas DeBacker and his partner Jessie  Robinson and her daughter Kimber of Irving, Texas.  She is also survived by granddaughters Emerson Katz, Tennyson Katz, Maven DeBacker, and Kimber Bailey.  She is survived by her four siblings Steve (Patty) Lanius of Jonesville, Michigan; Larry (Angela) Lanius of Jonesville, Michigan; Marsha Burdick-Lanius of Hillsdale, Michigan; Jon Lanius of Rib Lake, Wisconsin; and many loved and cherished nieces and nephews.  Cindy was preceded in death by her parents Dwayne and Bertha Lanius of Jonesville, Michigan.

Cindy Mae was born November 15th, 1957 to Dwayne and Bertha (Vanbuskirk) Lanius in Montpelier, Ohio.  She graduated from Jonesville Community Schools in 1976.  She married Luke James DeBacker of Jonesville, Michigan in 1980.  The couple welcomed four children delivered in their home. She and Luke divorced in 1992 and she relocated to Pittsford, Michigan in 1995.  She was later married to Jamey Boje between 2002-2011 after which she cared for her mother and eventually traveled around living in various locations – Goshen, Indiana; Las Vegas, Nevada; Trenton, Michigan; and finally New Port Richey, Florida in 2019.

Her children remember her as an energetic mother who loved to garden and encouraged them to pursue their goals.  She was passionate about them receiving an education and striving for their best.  She also loved to string a yarn and make people laugh with her high energy and phrases.  Her favorite movie to quote was What About, Bob? as she called for family meetings and often said “I feel good, I feel great, I feel wonderful.”  If you ever received an “atta girl” or an “atta boy” this was high praise from Cindy.

Cindy was an active member in any community she resided.  She served on the Board of County Commissioners in Hillsdale and was proud of helping to promote and bring 9-1-1 to Hillsdale County.  She enjoyed selling cars and taking care of her customers at Royal Chevrolet in Coldwater, Adrian Dodge, and Hillsdale Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram.

A memorial is scheduled for Saturday, July 19th from 12 pm – 4 pm at the Lewis Emery Park (rearing ponds) in Hillsdale, Michigan.  An open house will be held to celebrate Cindy’s life.  The family will spread her ashes in a private ceremony and plant a tree in her honor as she wished.  In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Belle Isle Conservancy in Detroit, Michigan to help continue Cindy’s love of flowers, plants, and nature (https://www.belleisleconservancy.org).  Condolences may be sent to the family at  714 W. Green St. Marshall, Michigan 49068.  The family would like to thank the friends and community of New Port Richey for their help in this difficult time.