DeVore, Lawrence – 1927-2020

CALDWELL, COPE, DAVIS, DEVORE, JENSEN, MCCOY, MEAD, ROBERTS, ROSS, TAYLOR, WHIPPS

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 7/13/2021 at 21:35:35

Lawrence DeVore, 92, passed away peacefully Thursday, June 11, 2020, in his Newton home surrounded by his loving family.
Born on a farm near Seymour, Nov. 20, 1927, Lawrence Karol DeVore was one of the eight children belonging to Leonard and Edra (Mead) DeVore to be born in the family’s home. He attended Seymour High School before going on to work for the Maytag and Case Companies. Soon after, Lawrence returned to being a steward of the land, a job he would cherish for the rest of his life. Lawrence farmed in Wayne, Appanoose and Jasper Counties and worked for Lester Pfister, Fontanelle and Seed-Tec as a district sales manager for all three. With this company, he received the Salesman of the Year award many times with Lester Pfister Corn Company. In 2019 at the Iowa State Fair, Lawrence and his family received a Century Farm Award for their farm in Wayne County. Lawrence enjoyed farming, gardening, hunting, fishing (especially in Canada with his family) and being social. After Lawrence retired, he spent time working for Hendrick’s Nursery and Greenhouse and HyVee, two jobs he loved doing. He had many interests and loved talking with anyone about any topic.
Lawrence was united in marriage to the love of his life, Betty McCoy, May 6, 1950, at the First United Methodist Church in Newton. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this past May. Lawrence was a member of the Metz Church in Newton, where he was a deacon and faithful servant.
Lawrence is survived by his wife, Betty; children, Yvonne (Jack) Ross, Richard (Eileen) DeVore, Maxine (Randy) Taylor and Rita (Barry) Roberts; eight grandchildren, Kelly (Steve) Cope, Shawn Ross, Shelly Jensen, Jeremy (Brandita) Taylor, Daniel (Alicia) DeVore, Tammy (Matt) Davis, Kacie (Bart) Whipps and Derek Roberts; 16 great-grandchildren; three and a half great-great-grandchildren; brother, Kenneth DeVore; and sister, Donna Caldwell. Lawrence was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings, Nile, Roger, Ruth, Leslie and Keith; his parents-in-law, Guy and Bertha McCoy; and many nieces, nephews and other in-laws.
A funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Monday, June 15 at Thomas Funeral Home in Centerville. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Interment will immediately follow service at Oakland Cemetery in Centerville. Condolences may be shared at thomasfh.com or facebook.com/thomasfuneralhome.
Source: Newton Daily News; June 14, 2020