Mr. Robert Alphonse “Robby” DeSchepper, III, 35, of Edwardsburg, Michigan, passed away at his home late Sunday evening, April 5, 2026.

Born on May 6, 1990, in Mishawaka, Indiana, Robby was the son of Robert A. DeSchepper, Jr. of Edwardsburg and Michaele E. “Shelly” DeSchepper of Elkhart, Indiana. He is survived by his loving parents, along with a close-knit and devoted extended family, loyal friends, and countless work companions who will forever remember his quick wit, kind heart, and unmistakable sense of humor. He was preceded in death by both sets of his grandparents.

Robby made his living as a machinist, a trade he approached with skill and quiet dedication. While he took pride in his work, it was never just about the job—it was about providing, staying grounded, and remaining connected to the people who mattered most to him.

That connection was perhaps most deeply rooted in the land and in the time he spent alongside his father on the family’s generational grain farm near Edwardsburg, affectionately known as Starr Farm. There, among the fields worked by his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather before him, Robby found something steady and meaningful. Whether helping with chores, riding through the property, hunting morel mushrooms with Dad, or simply taking in the open air, the farm was more than a place—it was part of who he was. He often joked about life’s “three F’s”—fishing, farming, and four-wheeling—and he lived each of them with genuine enthusiasm. And while many brands came and went, Robby remained proudly loyal to his beloved John Deere… a devotion that began in childhood, complete with a song he happily sang at a young age.

If the farm was where Robby felt grounded, his time with his mother was where his lightness and laughter truly came alive. Shelly fondly remembers her son’s enormous heart, his deep love for animals, and his natural instinct to help others without ever being asked. He had a playful spirit—a bit of “goofiness” that made him easy to love and impossible to forget. Whether sharing a laugh, being silly just for the joy of it, or stepping in to lend a hand, Robby brought warmth wherever he went. They would often travel to Shipshewana together to shop, believe it or not, and Robby loved visiting E & S Sales, Yoder’s and Fork’s County Line Store; often finding better deals than his mom.

Like many sons, Robby also had a healthy love of good food—and was often the first to step up to the grill when the opportunity arose. He took pride in cooking for others, and his homemade beef jerky was something of legend among those lucky enough to try it.

Robby’s love for animals was constant throughout his life, earning him the affectionate title of a devoted “Cat Daddy.” He also enjoyed working on and driving classic cars, including his 1981 Caprice Classic, his 1991 Camaro, and his 2006 Chrysler 300. Music was another of his great joys, and his taste was as wide-ranging as it was enthusiastic—he simply loved to listen.

He held a quiet but meaningful faith, taking pride in the fact that he could recite the Lord’s Prayer at just three years old—a small but lasting reflection of something deeply rooted within him.

In accordance with Robby’s wishes, visitation will be held at Billings Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Elkhart on Friday, April 17, from 12:00 noon until 1:00 p.m., followed by a celebration of his life at 1:00 p.m. Rev. Jeremy Sarber will officiate, with burial to follow at Adamsville Cemetery in Adamsville, Michigan.

Robby’s light will continue to shine down upon us. Love is eternal, and his spirit lives on in the beauty that surrounds us daily.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Elkhart County—or, in Robby’s own spirit, consider giving a home to a stray neighborhood cat. It’s a simple act of kindness that he would have appreciated… and it just might make the world a little better.