Mr. Owen John DeVet

Owen John DeVet, 91, of Traverse City and Charlotte Harbor, FL, and formerly of Midland, died August 31, 2012 in Traverse City after a brief illness. DeVet was born March 2, 1921 and raised in Kingsford, MI. He was a graduate of Kingsford High School, and a veteran of World War II, where he served as a military policeman in the 91st Infantry Division, seeing action in the Italian campaign and attaining the rank of sergeant. Owen married the former Agnes M. Seymour of Kingsford, later Midland, and together they had five children. He worked 37 years for The Dow Chemical Company in Midland, during which time he acted as shop steward for many years prior to being promoted to production foreman in 1974. As foreman, he received a letter of recognition for leading major process improvements for his department. DeVet was a handyman who built, with friends, two houses in Midland and a lake house for his family. Among his hobbies were hunting birds, rabbits and deer, breeding and training hunting dogs, and loading his own ammunition. He played competitive bridge and held the rank of American Contract Bridge Life Master for over 5 decades. He taught home wiring for Midland Public Schools for 8 years in Midland. He was known as "Mickey" to his family of origin and boyhood friends, and "Blackie" to his army buddies. Owen was preceded in death by wives, Agnes DeVet (1978) and Ruth McMaster Devet (1991). He is survived by his wife, Joyce Peterson DeVet of Traverse City; sister Delores Hanson of Lansing, IL; children Joe DeVet and wife Cinda of Houston, TX, Reezie DeVet and husband Dick Munsterman of Petoskey, Margaret Lee and husband Jim of Midland; Phil DeVet and wife Gail of Hoffman Estates, IL; and Max DeVet and wife Karen of Shoreview, MN and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by grandchildren: Debbie Eichholtz, Lee DeVet, Kathy Schmidt, Pam DeVet, Barbara Wood, Monica Bernstein, Bethany Eastman, Robert DeVet, Paul Walraven, Matt Walraven, Katy Stearns, Dan Lee, Amy Lee Baker, Nick DeVet, and Chris DeVet. In addition, he leaves 27 great-grandchildren: Joe, Tricia and Harry Eichholtz; Marty , Eddie and Charlie Schmidt; Gabe and Audrey DeVet-Adair: Wyatt, Lincoln and Sawyer Wood, Hannah, Naomi, Simeon and Teresa Bernstein: Dante Eastman: Taylor Davis, Cate and Owen Walraven; Natalie and Ian Walraven; Payton and Cal Stearns; Jack, Sophie and Maura Lee and Josephine Baker. The funeral mass will be celebrated 11:30 A.M. Monday, Sept. 3 at Christ the King Catholic Church, 3801 Shore Road, Williamsburg (Acme) with Father Raymond Cotter presiding. Visitation for family and friends will begin at 10:30 AM, also at the church. Interment will take place at New Calvary Cemetery in Midland at 11 A.M. Saturday, Sept. 22, 2012. Memorials, in lieu of flowers, can be made to the Munson Healthcare Regional Foundation, 210 Beaumont Place, Traverse City, MI 49684 or online at www.munsonhealthcare.org/foundation.

Mr. Owen John DeVet

March 2, 1921 - August 31, 2012