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| Name: |
Bernard "Ben" DeVito, Jr.
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| Date: |
August 5th, 1926 - November 28th, 2009
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| Obituary: |
Mr. Bernard “Ben” DeVito, age 83, of Spring Lake died Saturday, November 28, 2009, at North Ottawa Community Hospital. Ben was born August 5, 1926 in Chicago to Bernard and Martha (Dangler) DeVito Sr. and moved at a young age to Ludington to live with his foster parents, Richard and Anna Nettnin. Ben served his country proudly during WWII in the Navy, on patrol in the Pacific and as part of the occupying forces in Japan. He married Bette J. Lyon on January 28, 1950 in Grand Haven.
Ben and Bette lived most of their lives in the Grand Haven area. Ben took an early retirement from Gardner-Denver in 1992. They moved to their log home in the upper peninsula of Michigan. From there Ben and Bette lived in Montague for a time before moving back to Spring Lake. Ben was an active member of The United Methodist Church of the Dunes where he taught Sunday School for 33 years and sang in the choir for 30 years. He also taught Sunday School in Munising and Montague for a combine total of 45 years. He was a member of the American Legion Post #28 and very active in the Boy Scouts of America as a volunteer and leader. Ben loved spending time with and enjoying his family, especially his grandchildren. He enjoyed fishing, hiking, reading, music, sports and was an ardent Chicago Cubs fan.
Ben leaves behind his loving family including his wife of almost 60 years, Bette, daughter, Michelle DeVito of Grand Haven, sons; Ben (Margaret) DeVito of Kentwood, John (Becky) DeVito of Clarksville, MI, 8 grandchildren; Sara (Ted) Houseman, Abigail (Matthew) Shephard, Lucas (Kerry), Anthony, Vincent, Jaron, Kelton, Landon, 8 great grandchildren; Alexander, Isabelle, Gabriel, Aiden, Jonah, Keegan, Patrick, Connor, 2 sisters; Anna Marie Pesata of St. Louis, MO, Philomena DeVito of Wheaton, IL, a brother, Vincent (Susan) DeVito of Orland Park, IL and several nieces and nephews. Ben was preceded in death by his parents, step-mother, Mary, his foster parents, and foster brothers; Michael, Joseph and foster sister, Grace.
The service celebrating Ben’s life will be held Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. from The United Methodist Church of the Dunes with Rev. Dan Duncan officiating. Military Honors will be provided by The American Legion Honor Guard, Post #28. Friends may meet the family Tuesday from 6-9 p.m. at VanZantwick Bartels Kammeraad in Grand Haven. Interment will be at Lakeshore Cemetery. Memorials to Hospice of North Ottawa Community are appreciated. Please visit the family’s website at www.vbkfuneralhome.com to share a message or a picture. The family is being served by VanZantwick Bartels Kammeraad of Grand Haven.
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| Memorials: |
Hospice of North Ottawa Community
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| Cemetery: |
Lakeshore Cemetery
17200 Lincoln
Grand Haven, MI 49417 (map/driving directions)
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| Visitations: |
6:00PM to 9:00PM on Tuesday, December 1st, 2009 at VBK Grand Haven Chapel (map/driving directions)
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| Services: |
11:00AM at United Methodist Church of the Dunes on Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009 (map/driving directions)
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