Richard Lee DeVett

Pastor Richard L. “Dick” DeVett of Millmont, age 82, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, April 10th at home with his family.

He was born February 25, 1943, in Danville, the son of the late Robert Lloyd DeVett and Evelyn Grace (Grove) DeVett of New Berlin. On May 29, 1971, he married the former Mary Elizabeth Showalter, who survives.

Dick graduated from Mifflinburg Area High School in 1961 where he was named Mr. High School. He graduated from Muhlenburg College in 1965 with a B.A. in Psychology. He continued his education at Bloomsburg University, earning a Master of Education in 1981.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served from 1965 to 1969. He graduated from Hospital Corp School in Great Lakes, Illinois in 1966. He served as a Neuropsychiatric Technician, Hospital Corpsman Third Class, at the U.S. Navy Hospital in Philadelphia and attended Field Medical Service School at Camp Pendleton, California in 1967. He served in the Fleet Marine Force as a Corpsman in Vietnam in 1968 in Mike Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Division. Metals earned were: Vietnam Service Medal with 2 stars, National Defense Medal with 3 bronze stars, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Purple Heart.

He was employed as a Special Education Teacher at Middleburg Area School District, and retired from the C.S.I.U. in 2002 after 32 years serving as a Consultant and Professional Support Services Trainer. He was a certified Facilitator of the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, and a recipient of the Patrick F. Toole Kudos Award.

Dick was a Sunday School Teacher and Lay Speaker in the United Methodist Church and participated in Lay Witness Missions and Tres Dias. He became a Stephen Leader with Stephen Ministries in 1997. He became a Hospice volunteer with Evangelical Community Hospital in 2006. After his retirement, he became a full-time Pastor at West End Bible Fellowship, Laurelton in 2007, and Hironimus Union Church, Weikert in 2014. He was a volunteer with Prison Ministry at the Lewisburg Federal Penitentiary and was the West End Fire Company Chaplin.

Dick enjoyed music, art, reading, writing, spending time with family, and having animals to love. He cared about people and had much love and compassion for others.

His memberships included: The Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees, Pennsylvania State Education Association, American Legion Post 957, Military Order of the Purple Heart, and the Marine Corps League.

Surviving, in addition to his wife of 54 years, are three daughters and two sons-in-law, Liz DeVett of New Berlin, Vanessa DeVett and Doug Chapman of Mifflinburg, and Whitney and Justin Rule of Columbia; six grandchildren, Ellie DeVett, Lillian Rule, Wesley Rule, Jude Rule, Isaac Rule, and Penelope Rule; three nieces and nephews and their families: Randy DeVett-McKeon, Renee DeVett, and Rob DeVett.

He was preceded in death by his brother and sister-in-law, Robert Lewis and Nancy DeVett.

Family and friends are welcome to a time of visitation Saturday, April 19th, 9a.m.-11a.m, at West End Bible Fellowship, 2746 State Route 235, Laurelton, where a Celebration of Life Service will be conducted at 11a.m. Graveside service at Lincoln Cemetery will follow, with military honors accorded by American Legion Post 410 and VFW Post 1964, both of Mifflinburg.

Arrangements are by Roupp Funeral Home, Inc., 8594 Old Turnpike Road, Mifflinburg.

Leave your condolences online at www.rouppfuneralhome.com.