Rodney W. Devore

Rodney W. DeVore, 94, formerly of Tamarack Drive, Meadville and a Wesbury Villa resident since 1999 and a Grace Nursing Center resident since March 2006 died there, Tuesday, April 1, 2008.

He was born in Meadville April 30, 1913 a son of Walter and Catherine Wagner DeVore.  He married Ruth “Peg” McConkey June 12, 1937 and she survives.

He was a 1931 graduate of Meadville High School.  He then attended Allegheny College for 1 year then received his BS degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Michigan.  Following graduation he began his working career in Pittsburgh with Pittsburgh Des Moines Steel Co. where he worked for two years.  He then worked for two years with Consumer Power Co. in Jackson, MI.  He then joined R.C. Mahon Co. in Detroit as a welding engineer from 1939-1946.  In 1946 he and Peg moved to Conneaut Lake and he joined his father’s business the Walter DeVore Co.  He then started Rodney W. DeVore Construction, Inc.  His company built several area projects, including the Baldwin Dorm at Allegheny College, developed and built homes on DeVore Drive, Neason Hill Elementary School, the Meadville Area Recreation Complex, Grace Nursing Center at Wesbury United Methodist Community, the Morgan Village and South Main Street Housing Projects, the Diamond Park Band Shell, added the 5th floor to the Shryock Building and developed the Lamont Heights neighborhood.

He was also very active civically.  Along with his brother Wilford, he was instrumental in saving the Market House from demolition in the early 1970’s.  He also was a 60 year member with perfect attendance and Past President of the Meadville Kiwanis Club, founding member of the Meadville Golden K Kiwanis Club and a past Kiwanis Lieutenant Governor, Past President of the Crawford County Chamber of Commerce, Board member of the Meadville Redevelopment Authority, Director of Northwest Bank and Trust Co., member of Meadville Roundtable, the Boots and Saddles, and the Chi Epsilon National Civil Engineering Honor Society. He served as a consultant to the Wesbury Community during its development and was a member of the Wesbury Foundation.  He was a member of Stone United Methodist Church for 65 years where he served in many positions including as a Trustee, President of the Administrative Board, Church School teacher, and on the Finance committee.

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Survivors, in addition to his wife Peg of 70 years, include a daughter, the Rev. Dr. Suzanne Bennett and her husband the Rev. Dr. Craig Bennett of Pittsburgh; two grandchildren, Denise DeVore of Erie and Donald C. DeVore of Madeira Beach, FL and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Donald C. DeVore and two brothers, Richard and Wilford DeVore.

Calling hours will be Monday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, Inc., 581 Chestnut Street, Meadville with a Kiwanis service at 3:45 p.m.

The funeral service will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Stone United Methodist Church, 956 S. Main Street, Meadville with the Rev. Dr. Suzanne Bennett, the Rev. Dr. Craig Bennett, daughter and son-in-law and the Rev. Jim Hammerlee and the Rev. J. Howard Cherry, retired United Methodist Clergymen, officiating.

Burial will be in Greendale Cemetery.

The family suggests memorials be made to Stone United Methodist Church, 956 S. Main Street, Meadville, PA 16335.