Mark DeVer
Alton |
Mark Stephen DeVer, 68, of Alton, passed peacefully into the waiting arms of the Lord at 6:38 p.m. on Easter Sunday, April 16, 2017, at home surrounded by his loving family.
Mark was born on November 14, 1948, in Hillsboro, Illinois, the son of Helen Eileen (Ruppe) DeVer and the late Ronald James DeVer. He married his loving wife of nearly 20 years, Jeannine Kelly-DeVer, on January 2, 1999. He was also blessed with a son, Derrick DeVer, in 1968.
Mark served his country in the United States Air Force from 1968 to 1969 and was honorably discharged from the Air Force Reserves in 1970. Mark was instrumental in the formation of Metro Supply & Equipment Co. in the 1970s and continued to successfully run that company for over 40 years, until he was diagnosed with cancer in October 2016. He was also co-owner of DanMar Enterprises, Inc., a real estate investment company that focuses on restoring and rehabilitating historic properties in Alton, Illinois. His wife continues to run that company.
Mark, first and foremost, was a Christian, and loved telling the Good News of Christ to others. He lived his life expressing his faith in words and actions. He was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church in Cottage Hills, Illinois, and Trinity Lutheran Church in Louisiana, Missouri.
Mark loved music, especially gospel music of the Cathedrals, the Gaithers, and the Plainsmen Quartet, his late father’s gospel group. Mark loved to play golf, loved Cardinals baseball, loved his dogs, Sophie and Sabrina, and most of all, loved spending time with his wife taking drives, shopping, working on projects, staying at their home in Louisiana, Missouri, and planning their future together.
Mark loved his family and friends tremendously. His beautiful smile and loving heart brightened the lives of those who knew him. He was a beacon of light. Children, especially his nieces and nephews, flocked to Mark – he knew how to play and how to make them feel safe and happy.
Mark never let his hope fade even when cancer ravaged his body. He battled long and hard. Even though cancer took his body, it could not take his loving and generous spirit. He lives on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.
Mark is survived by his wife, Jeannine; his mother, Helen DeVer of Bethalto; mother-in-law, Tommie Myers of Wood River; son, Derrick DeVer of Bethalto; his siblings, Trent (Kim) DeVer of Alton, Renee (David) Hardwick of Bethalto, Jeff (Susan) Padgett of Grantfork, IL, Desiree (Danny) Burke of Grantfork. IL, Dawn Jacobs of Highland, IL; brothers-in-law, John (Robin) Kelly of Leonardtown, Maryland, Michael Kelly of Wood River, IL; 20 nieces and nephews; 10 great-nieces and nephews; Sabrina, the beloved family dog and numerous friends and relatives.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 19, 2017 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home in Godfrey.
A second visitation will be held from 10 am until the time of the services at 11 am on Thursday, April 20, 2017 at Concordia Lutheran Church in Cottage Hills with Pastor Schultz and Pastor Dock officiating.
Interment will follow at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto.
Memorials may be made to Concordia Lutheran Church in Cottage Hills or Trinity Lutheran Church in Louisiana, Missouri.
Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home in Godfrey is in charge of arrangements.
Condolences may be found online at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com
Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home
