Elbert Regtuyt, 72

Elbert (Al) Hendrik Regtuyt, 72, of Cape Coral, Fla., passed away Jan. 10, 2014, at Hope Hospice of Cape Coral. He had been a resident of Cape Coral since 1978, formerly from Constantine.

Elbert was born Sept. 6, 1941, to Gysbertus (Gus) and Wilhelmina (Willie) Regtuyt, now deceased, in Muiden, Netherlands.

After surviving the German occupation of the Netherlands, he, his sister and parents immigrated to America and settled in Michigan. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force as a tactical missileer, serving in Europe. Following his service, he returned to Michigan, where he was vice president of the Michigan Feeder Pig Company. Due to his adventurous spirit, he moved his family to Florida, where he worked for Fuller Telephone Company, followed by Regal Custom Homes before becoming president of Elbert Regtuyt Custom Homes.

Elbert will be dearly missed by his wife of 40 years, Susan Regtuyt; sons Marc Thornton and son-in law Rob Todd, Chad Thornton and daughter-in-law Aimee Roark, Ryan Regtuyt and daughter-in-law Xibel Virella-Regtuyt; Kevin Regtuyt and daughter-in-law Nicole Regtuyt; sister Chris Shanafelt and brother-in-law Gary Shanafelt; as well as his beloved grandchildren, Emily Regtuyt, Anabelle Regtuyt, Mitchell Gleason and Charles Regtuyt.

The family will receive family and friends for a celebration of life ceremony 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15 at Hope Hospice Chapel, 2430 Diplomat Parkway East, Cape Coral, Fla., with Chaplain Daniel Antle officiating. A gathering of family and friends will follow. Memorial donations may be sent to the family. Burial service will take place at a later date in Constantine.