Joseph R. Devoge, Sr.

Joseph R. DeVoge, Sr., 85, of Conneaut Lake went to be with the Lord on Sunday March 9, 2008 at Rolling Fields Nursing Home.

He was born February 23, 1923 in Ridgeway, PA a son of Joseph and Agatha Carney DeVoge.  He married Betty Lou Scofield on May 5, 1950 and she preceded him in death February 20, 1993.

He was a graduate of Erie East High School in 1941 and attended Gannon University.  He began his working career as a time study engineer at Erie Resistor in Erie.  He met his wife Betty there who was working as a chemist.  In 1953 they moved to Conneaut Lake to join his father-in-law, Paul Scofield whom Joe considered his second dad, at the Navigation Co.  At the time they operated two locations, sales and service were at the south end of the lake and excursion rides, including ferry boats, rental boats and the Miss Conneaut Speedboat ride were operated at Conneaut Lake Park.  By the min-60’s Joe and Betty took over the operation at the south end of the lake, and their family, Mike, Bud and Judy, all grew up in and around the business.

He was a member of Fifth Street Presbyterian Church and the Masonic Lodge.  He was an expert on wooden boats, enjoyed golf, spending time on Lake Erie fishing, loved dogs especially his Shih Tzu mix Corky.  He also enjoyed his daily visits to Mama Bears Restaurant and Sunday dinners with his family.

Survivors, include: two sons, Michael J. DeVoge and his wife Gwen of Conneaut Lake and Bud DeVoge and his wife Claudia of Linesville; a daughter, Judy DeVoge of Conneaut Lake; four grandchildren, Joseph “Chip” DeVoge III of Cochranton, Kristine (DeVoge) and Darren Buss of Virginia Beach, VA, Zachary Paul DeVoge of Minnesota and Brittany Leigh DeVoge of Colorado; a great grandson, Noah Buss; a sister, Jacquelyn Boyer of Erie and two sisters-in-law, Joanne Eazor of Meadville and Vera Bean and her husband Russell of Cleveland.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Charlotte Sanner and two brothers, Eugene DeVoge and Don DeVoge.

Calling hours will be Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Waid-Coleman Funeral Home, Inc., 12422 Conneaut Lake Road, Conneaut Lake and Wednesday from 10-11 a.m. at Fifth Street Presbyterian Church, Fifth Street, Conneaut Lake.  The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. at the church with the Rev. Penney Fujii, Pastor, officiating.

Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery.

The family suggests memorials be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, 1645 West 8th Street, Erie, PA 16505 or the Crawford County Humane Society, 11012 Kennedy Hill Road, Meadville, PA 16335.