Obituaries
Dev-Dew
DEVLIN, Bernice F. - Journal-Courier, Jacksonville, Illinois, March 17, 2005 - Submitted by Marcia Cox
Bernice F. Devlin, 1925-2005, Ashland
Bernice Francisco Devlin, 80, of rural Ashland, died Tuesday evening, March 15, 2005, at St. John's Hospice in Springfield.
She was born Jan. 18, 1925, in Springfield, the daughter of Lawrence and Ida Brandt Francisco. She married James Patrick "Pat" Devlin on Nov. 27, 1954, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Springfield, and he survives.
She is also survived by three daughters, Karen Devlin of Springfield, Patricia "Trish" (husband, Rodney) Pugh of Davenport, Iowa, and Debra Devlin of Chelmsford, Mass.; one son, Larry (wife, Connie) of Ashland; two grandchildren, Phillip and Brandon Pugh, both of Davenport, Iowa; two stepgrandchildren, Karmen Knowles of Chatham and Christina (husband, Chad) Newbern of Beardstown; three stepgreat-grandchildren; one brother, Fred (wife, Jacquiline) Francisco of Spaulding; one sister, Genevieve Cowden (husband, Tom) of Springfield; 23 nieces and nephews; two half nieces; and one half nephew. She was preceded in death by one brother, George Francisco; one sister, Maxine Fettis; one half brother, Jim Francisco; and two half sisters, Margaret Uleg and Esther Curfman.
Mrs. Devlin was a 1943 graduate of Feitshans High School in Springfield and was employed 10 years with Franklin Life Insurance Co. in Springfield. The balance of her life was devoted to being a farm wife, mother, and grandmother. She was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church in Ashland and the church's Alter Society. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, crocheting and solving puzzles.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Ashland, with burial at St. Augustine Cemetery, west of Ashland. Friends may call after 3 p.m. Friday at Massie-Buchanan Funeral Home in Virginia where family will meet friends from 5-7 p.m. A prayer service will be held 4:45 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Cass-Schuyler Area Hospice, St. John's Hospice or a charity of the donor's choice. Condolences may be left at www.buchananfuneralhome.com.
DEVLIN, F. Eleanor - Journal-Courier, Jacksonville, Illinois - Submitted by Marcia Cox
F. Eleanor Devlin, 1917-2007, Ashland
F. Eleanor Devlin, 89, of rural Ashland, died Tuesday morning, Feb. 6, 2007, at Walker Nursing Home in Virginia.
She was born Dec. 18, 1917, in Virginia, the daughter of Frank and Edith Taylor Fox. She married Leo Francis Devlin on Feb. 1, 1940, in Ashland, and he preceded her in death June 26, 1997.
She is survived by one daughter, Joyce Ann (husband, Jim) Marr of rural Virginia; one son, Bernard (wife, Eileen) of rural Ashland; three granddaughters, Chandra (husband, Don) Tripp of Crestwood, Mo., Jacinda (husband, Paul) Cheshire of Frisco, Texas, and Sibyl (husband, Justin) Cox of Chatham; seven great-grandchildren; one sister, Betty Hays of Virginia; one brother, Merle (wife, Mary) Fox of Jacksonville; and several nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Devlin was a 1935 graduate of Virginia High School. She was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church in Ashland and the church's Alter Society. She was a member of the Walnut Grove Household Science Club and a charter member of the Cass County Home Extension. She was a member of the former Virginia Woman's Club and formerly served as a 4-H leader.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Ashland, with burial at St. Augustine Cemetery, west of Ashland. Friends may call from 5-7 p.m. Friday at Massie-Buchanan Funeral Home in Virginia. A prayer service will be held 4:45 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Walker Nursing Home Resident Activity Fund or Cass-Schuyler Area Hospice. Condolences may be left at www.buchananfuneralhomes.com.
DEVLIN, Frances Eleanor - Journal-Courier, Jacksonville, Illinois, April 13, 2003 - Submitted by Marcia Cox
F. Eleanor Devlin 1917-2003, Ashland
F. Eleanor Devlin, 85, of Virginia, and formerly of Normal, died Friday evening, April 11, 2003, at Walker Nursing Home in Virginia.
She was born Dec. 11, 1917, in Greene County, the daughter of Lester Own and Forrest Florence.
She is survived by four sons, Hal (Sharon) Ruyle of Charleston, Donald E. (wife, Becky) Devlin of Martinez, Ga., Michael K. (wife, Sandy) Devlin of Garden City, Ga., and Dennis "Pat" (wife, Donna) Devlin of Ashland; one daughter, Reta (husband, Alvin) Mardis of Normal; 29 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; and four sisters, Freda Fern McElroy of Roodhouse, Dorothy E. Warcup of Jacksonville, Patsy Caravan of Springfield and Doris E. Trummel of Golconda. She was preceded in death by one son; one daughter; two brothers; and one sister.
Ms. Devlin was a member of Richwoods Baptist Church in Roodhouse. She was an avid reader and enjoyed gardening and watching country western videos.
A private burial will be held at Park Hill Cemetery in Bloomington at a later date.Stubblefield-Calvert Memorial Home is in charge of the arrangements. Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association or the Walker Nursing Home in Virginia.
DEVLIN, Frank - newspaper unknown - Submitted by Marcia Cox
Rites To Be Held Saturday - died September 29, 1954.
Funeral services for Frank Charles Devlin, who died suddenly at his home Wednesday morning at 7:35, will be held Saturday morning at 9 a.m. at St. Augustine church with Rev. Vincent Heraty in charge. Mr. Devlin was born in Cass County July 9, 1884, the son of John E. Devlin and Mary Drain. He married Anna Unger in Springfield Nov. 25, 1925. He was a member of St. Augustine church. He served as assessor of Philadelphia township for 30 years, resigning that position several years ago.
He is survived by the following children: Sister JoNette Devlin O.S.F., St. John's Hospital, Mary Margaret Devlin and John William Devlin, Ashland; Harry Devlin, Jacksonville and William J. Devlin, Virginia; one sister, Mrs. Margaret Mahoney, Ashland.Two brothers, John and Arthur preceded him in death. Interment will be in St. Augustine cemetery. Friends may call at the Devlin residence after 1 p.m. Thursday.
DEVLIN, Harry - Journal-Courier, Jacksonville, Illinois, October, 2000 - Submitted by Marcia Cox
Harry Devlin 1921, 2000, Virginia
Harry Devlin, 79, of Virginia, died Sunday afternoon, Oct. 8, 2000, at his residence.
He was born Sept. 14, 1921, in Virginia, the son of John and Mabel Collins Devlin. He married Dorothy Jean Sinclair Jan. 9, 1943, in Portsmouth, N.H., and she survives.
He is also survived by one son, Harry Watson ‘H.W.’ Devlin (wife, Shirley) of Virginia; five daughters, Rena Kay (husband, Bob) Welch of Virginia, Tacy (husband, Randy) McClure of Virginia, Kristina (husband, Jim) Paul of Jacksonville, Sarah (husband, Joe) Edwards of Virginia, Bridget Devlin of Chicago; 14 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one brother, Bernard (wife, Mabel) of Decatur; two sisters-in-law, Eleanor Devlin and Jean Devlin, both of Virginia; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by four brothers, Freddie, Elmer ‘Tug’, Howard and Kenneth, and one sister, Mary in infancy.
Mr. Devlin graduated in 1939 from Virginia High School. After graduating, he went to work for Caterpillar, then enlisted in the Navy in August of 1942 and was discharged in December of 1945. He was attached to the Marine Corps and served as a Corpsman in the Pacific Theatre and saw action in the invasion of Bougainville. He returned from the service and attended and graduated from Brown Business College in Jacksonville. He was employed by the Virginia Packing Co. and later worked for many years for the Illinois Department of Agriculture, retiring in 1997. He served on the Virginia School Board for 32 years and kept time for the grade school and high school basketball and football games for over 50 years starting in 1946. He was assistant timekeeper at the 1980 IHSA Class A State Championships and in 1981 was the head timekeeper. In 1987, he was inducted into the Illinois Coaches Hall of Fame in the ‘Friends of Basketball’ category. Harry has always been a ‘die hard’ Cub’s and Fighting Irish of Notre Dame fan, but above all a loyal Virginia Redbird supporter.
A funeral Mass will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Virginia, with burial at Walnut Ridge Cemetery. Friends may call after 4 p.m. today at the Massey-Buchannan Funeral Home in Virginia, with the family meeting friends from 6-8 p.m. Memorial gifts may be given to the Cass-Schuyler Hospice or Virginia Park District.
DEVLIN, James Leo - newspaper unknown - Submitted by Marcia Cox
Funeral services were held at St. Augustine Church, Ashland at 10 a.m. July 25 for James Leo Devlin, retired farmer who was found dead at his home near Ashland at 7:10 a.m. Thursday, July 21. Remains were removed to the Gainer Funeral Home Ashland and returned to the family residence Sunday morning. Officiating at the requiem high mass were Rev. Henry Kozak, Rev. Eugene Griffin, Rev. Vincent Heraty and Rev. James McBride. Pallbearers were John H. Devlin, John W. Devlin, John M. Mahoney, Leo M. Reiser, Carl Davis and Robert L. Plummer. Burial was in St. Augustine Cemetery.
Mr. Devlin was born in Cass County in the Centenary Community March 20, 1889 - the son of John and Mary Drain Devlin. He was married to Frances Plummer November 26, 1914 at Ashland. She preceded him in death July 13, 1952 and two daughters and one son died in infancy. One sister and four brothers also preceded him in death.
Surviving are two sons and three daughters, Leo F. Devlin, James F. Devlin and Margaret F. Devlin, Ashland, Mrs. Raymond Mahoney, Pleasant Plains and Mrs. Raymond Ruppel of Virginia. Also surviving are sixteen grandchildren and one brother Harry Devlin of Jacksonville.
DEVLIN, John - The Ashland Sentinel, Ashland, Illinois, May 6, 1932 - Submitted by Marcia Cox
John Devlin
John Devlin, one of Ashland's prominent retired farmers and respected citizen, passed away at his home in the north part of town at 9:35 o'clock Wednesday morning after an illness of several weeks, at the age of 78 years.
Surviving are five sons, John, Frank, Harry and Leo of Ashland, and William of Virginia; one daughter, Mrs. Martin Mahoney; one brother, John, Virginia; and one sister, Mrs. Frank Began, Denver, Colo.
Funeral services will be held at 9:00 o'clock this Friday morning at St. Augustine church, Dev. D. O'Brien officiating and interment will be made in St. Augustine cemetery.
DEVLIN, John - Illinoian Star, Beardstown, Illinois, July 24, 1968 - Submitted by Carol Orwig
John Devlin, 78-year old resident of Virginia, died at 7:45 a.m. Tuesday at the Norris hospital in Jacksonville where he became a patient the preceding day.
Mr. Devlin was a retired B and O Railroad employee.
He was born at Virginia, February 9, 1890, son of James and Bridget Brady Devlin.
Surviving are five sons: Fred Devlin of Morton, Elmer of Springfield, Bernard of Champaign, Harry of Virginia and Kenneth of Normal; one sister Mrs. Margaret Reid of Springfield; 23 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
The remains were taken to the Massie Funeral Home in Virginia where the family will meet friends from 7-9 p.m. tonight. The rosary will be recited at the funeral home at 8 p.m.
Requiem mass will be offered at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Luke’s Catholic Church, Reverend John Moore officiating. Burial will be in Walnut Ridge Cemetery.
DEVLIN, John W. - Journal-Courier, Jacksonville, Illinois, June 17, 2007 - Submitted by Marcia Cox
John W. Devlin, 1935-2007, Ashland
John W. Devlin, 71, of Ashland, died Friday, June 15, 2007, at the family farm in rural Ashland.
He was born Dec. 7, 1935, in Springfield, the son of Frank C. and Anna Unger Devlin. He married Linda L. Hish on July 2, 1955, at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Ashland, and she survives.
He is also survived by four daughters, Cindy (husband, Rick) Sarff of Petersburg, Cathy Reichart of Springfield, Kay Reiser of Champaign and Laura (husband, Jeff) Mosley of Arrowsmith; two sons Chris J. (wife, Terri) of Ashland and Daniel F. (wife, Karri) of Springfield; 14 grandchildren, Jennifer Sarff, Brandon and Brock Reichart, Clayton and Ainsley Reiser, Allison, Jonathan and Jamison Mosley, Christopher, Fallon and Bailie Devlin and Madison, Mackenzie and Sydney Devlin; two sisters, Sr. Jonette) O.S.F. of Green Bay, Wis., and Mary Margaret Devlin of Ashland; and several nieces and nephews, and several cousins, including Alvena Reiser of Petersburg who was raised in the family home. He was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Emily Reichart.
Mr. Devlin attended Washington country school and was a 1953 graduate of Virginia High School. He was a lifelong grain and cattle farmer in Cass and Morgan counties. He was a member of St. Augustine Parish in Ashland and served on the St. Augustine Cemetery Board. He formerly served as director for the Ashland Farmers Elevator, Cass County Fair Association and the Cass County Soil & Water Conservation District. He also formerly served as a Pony League baseball coach and was active in the Ashland Booster Club. He enjoyed attending sporting events, especially when his children and grandchildren participated.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Ashland, with burial at St. Augustine Cemetery, west of Ashland. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Monday at the church, where prayer services ill be held 4:45 p.m. Memorials are suggested to St. Augustine Church or Ashland Youth Association. Massie-Buchanan Funeral Home in Ashland is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.buchananfuneralhomes.com.
DEVLIN, Mary J. - Virginia Gazette, Virginia, Illinois, January 10, 1936 - Submitted by Marcia Cox
Rites are held here Wednesday - Local Woman Passed Away Sunday at Hospital
Last rites for Mary J. Devlin, 49, well known local professional woman and employed as linotype operator at the plant of The Virginia Gazette, were held at St. Luke's church here Wednesday morning with the high requiem mass ceremony with Rev. V.C., celebrant. Father Goyke paid a most fitting tribute to the deceased, who was a faithful member of the local Catholic church. Miss Devlin became suddenly ill about the 20th of December when she went to the St. John's hospital in Springfield for treatment. She never recovered sufficiently to allow a planned operation. She passed away at 5:30 p.m. Sunday at the hospital. Devlin; and nephew, Thomas Mahoney at home; one sister, Mrs. Stuart J. Reid of this city; two brothers, Will of Springfield and John of this city, also several nieces and nephews.
The funeral services were largely attended here Wednesday. Casket bearers were Thomas Finn, P.J. Lockhart, Franklin Dooling, Martin Mahoney, Marion Walker of this city and Tim Doolin of Ashland. Music was furnished by Leo Whalen of Beardstown, and Mesdames Elmer Sudbrink, Clifford Schall and Virgil Engle, with Miss Frances Whalen at the organ. Interment was in the Walnut Ridge Cemetery.
Those who attended the services from out of town included Frank McBride of Debuque, Mrs. John Duncheon and Louis Duncheon of Jacksonville; J.D. Reid, Chicago; Margaret Reid, Frances Whalen, Mr. and Mrs.Will Devlin and son of Springfield; Mr. and Mrs. James Newell and Mr. and Mrs.Tim Doolin and son of Ashland; Leo Whalen of Beardstown.
Note: The list of survivors appeared incorrectly in the newspaper account; the sentence began with "Devlin", not the full name of the survivor.
DEVLIN, Mary Margaret - May 17, 1930 - July 18, 2008
Mary Margaret Devlin, 78, of Ashland, IL died Friday, July 18, 2008 at the Walker Nursing Home in Virginia, IL.
She was born May 17, 1930 in Springfield, IL; the daughter of Frank and Anna Unger Devlin. She is survived by a sister, Sister Jonette O.S.F. of Green Bay, WI; six nieces and nephews, Chris J. Devlin (wife, Terri) of Ashland, Kay Reiser of Champaign, Laura Mosley (husband, Jeff) of Arrowsmith, Cindy Sarff (husband, Rick) of Petersburg, Daniel F. Devlin (wife, Karri) of Springfield, and Cathy Reichart of Springfield; and 14 great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a brother, John W. Devlin (surviving wife, Linda of Ashland).
Miss Devlin was a 1948 graduate of Virginia High School, Springfield Junior College, and received her BS and MS degrees form Western Illinois University in Macomb. She began her teaching career at Franklin High School from 1952 to 1955 and continued at Pleasant Plains High School from 1955 until her retirement in 1988. During her tenure at Pleasant Plains, she established musicals and madrigal events at the school. Her choir, musicals, and madrigal productions were well known throughout central Illinois. She formerly served as district choral chairman of the Illinois Music Education Association for a number of years. She hosted IMEA organizational solo and ensemble contests while teaching at Pleasant Plains. She was an acclaimed and popular IMEA and IHSA adjudicator for many years. During her leadership, the Pleasant Plains Music Department was awarded the IHSA Sweepstakes Award for Illinois Class C Schools. In recognition of her outstanding teaching, she was inducted into the Pleasant Plains High School Wall of Fame becoming the first fine arts instructor ever honored.
A devoted member of St. Augustine parish in Ashland, she served as organist and choir director for 50 years. She also formerly served on the St. Augustine Cemetery Board and the Parish Council. Donating her musical talent, she served as pagent director for the Ashland Centennial Celebration in 1982. She was also a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma sorority. In her retirement, she provided private voice lessons for many students. In so many ways, her life was dedicated to music.
A funeral Mass will be held 10:30 AM Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Ashland with burial at St. Augustine Cemetery in Ashland. Friends may call from 5:00 to 7:00 PM Tuesday at the church. A prayer service will be conducted at 4:45 PM Tuesday at the church. Memorial gifts are suggested to St. Augustine Catholic Church, St. Augustine Choir Fund, or Ashland U-Help. The Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home of Ashland is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www,buchanancody.com.
DEVLIN, William Bernard 'Bernie' - Journal-Courier, Jacksonville, Illinois, November 2003 - Submitted by Marcia Cox
Note: Bernie has a connection to a Cass County family.
William Bernard ‘Bernie’ Devlin 1920-2003 Round Rock, Texas
William Bernard ‘Bernie’ Devlin, 83, of Round Rock, Texas, died Saturday, Nov. 22, 2003, at Round Rock Medical Center in Texas.
He was born Jan. 3, 1920, in Virginia, the son of John Thomas and Mabel Collins Devlin. He married Mabel Zillion on July 20, 1941, in Palmyra, Mo., and she survives in Texas.
He is also survived by four daughters, Patricia (husband, Don) Lynx of Hammond, Ind., Mary (husband, Bill) McConville of Ottawa, Kathleen (husband, Chuck) Releford and Kara (husband, Bob) Kovacs, both of Round Rock, Texas; one son, Bill (wife, Pam) of Effingham; 11 grandchildren; and thirteen great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by five brothers, Fred, Harry, Elmer, Howard and Ken.
Mr. Devlin was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II on the USS John Hood in the Pacific Theater. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and was deputy grand knight, American Legion, VFW and a member of the honor guard. He retired from Purity Baking Co. in Champaign as a plant manager in 1982.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Patrick’s Church in Ottawa, with burial at Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa with military services. Visitation will be from 9-10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Ottawa Funeral Home.
DEVLIN, W.J. - The Virginia Gazette, Virginia, Illinois, October 24, 1963 - Submitted by Marcia Cox
William Joseph - died October 17, 1963. Memorial Rites Held Monday for W.J. Devlin, Prominent Resident
Sadness has again fallen in our little community with the passing of a beloved friend and neighbor, William Joseph Devlin, 72.
Mr. Devlin passed away as [at] 12:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 17, at Our Saviour's hospital. He had been in ill health for sometime. He was born April 10, 1891 near Ashland, son of John Edward and Mary Ann Drain Devlin. On Oct. 26, 1920, he was married to Rose Mary Hade, who survives. Also surviving is one son, John Hade, Lake Bluff, Ill.; three daughters, Mrs. Don (Mary) Mefford of Green Bay, Wisc., Miss Rosaleen Devlin of St. Louis, Mo., and Mrs. James (Helen) Mills of Tucson Ariz; two brothers, Leo of Ashland and Harry of Jacksonville, and twelve grandchildren. Mr. Devlin was president of the Petefish, Skiles and Co. bank, which position he had held for the past four years. He was an employee of the bank for 41 years. He was a member of St. Luke's Catholic church, the Holy Name Society and Knights of Columbus in Jacksonville. He was a charter member of American Legion Post 258 and County Commander. He served in the Army Engineer corps in World War I. Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m. Monday at St. Luke's Catholic church, the Rev. Henry Kozak, Rev.Eugene Griffin, Rev. Michael Henchan and Rev. Vincent Harety, officiating. Music was by Miss Mary Margaret Devlin, Miss Margaret Devlin and Mrs. Alvena Reiser. Pallbearers were Leo Reiser, Leo Devlin, Patrick Devlin, Glennon Mahoney, John Devlin and Vincent Devlin. An American flag was presented to Mrs. Devlin by John R. Graves, in behalf of the American Legion Post 258, at the graveyard.
Burial was made in Walnut Ridge Cemetery.
DeWITT, Kevin Alan - Journal-Courier, Jacksonville, Illinois, December 24, 2005 - Submitted by Marcia Cox
Kevin Alan DeWitt, 1992-2005
Kevin Alan DeWitt, 12, of Virginia, died Thursday evening, Dec. 22, 2005, at St. Louis Children's Hospital of natural causes.
He was born Dec. 29, 1992, at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, the son of William and Jodi Mohlman DeWitt.
He is survived by his father, William (companion, Debbie Porter) of Virginia; his mother, Jodi of Cuba, IL; one sister, Sherri DeWitt of Virginia; paternal grandmother, Stella (husband, Edward) Carrigan of Jacksonville; maternal grandfather, Clayton Eugene (companion, Sue Palmer) Mohlman of Summum; maternal grandmother, Kay (husband, Steve) Moehing of Havana; great-grandmother, Bertha Smith of Havana; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Dennis Gene DeWitt.
Kevin was in the 6th grade at Virginia Junior HIgh School. He enjoyed music, swimming, computer and video games.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday at Massie-Buchanan Funeral Home in Virginia, with burial at Walnut Ridge Cemetery in Virginia. Visitation will be held from 9-11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the donor's choice. Condolences may be left at www.buchananfuneralhomes.com.
Please Contact Us!
cchgs@casscomm.com