John Herbert DeVoe

John was born February 9, 1921, in Fremont, Ohio, a son of Benjamin Herbert and Esther Grace (Blaser) DeVoe. His family moved to Marquette in 1931. He graduated from John D. Pierce High School in 1939 and was enrolled at Northern Michigan College (now Northern Michigan University). In 1942, John entered the US Army Air Corps, serving as a navigator on a B-17 Flying Fortress Bomber, of the 457th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force in Europe. On November 1, 1944, John was united in marriage to Grace Madeline Lawson in Houston, Texas while serving in the military. Honorably discharged in 1945 with the rank of 1st Lieutenant, the couple moved to Marquette so John could finish college at Northern Michigan College. When he finished his undergraduate degree in 1946, he taught music in Crystal Falls for two years. From 1948 to 1950, John was enrolled at the University of Michigan where he earned his MA in music. After finished grad school in 1950, the family moved to Grand Rapids where John had accepted a teaching position with the Grand Rapid Public Schools.

Grand Rapids remained the couple’s home for 50 years, with summers spent at the cottage in Marquette. In retirement, John returned to his Marquette roots. John leaves a huge musical legacy. Receiving his MA in music in 1950 from the University of Michigan, he also played in both the marching and symphonic bands. John taught instrumental music in Crystal Falls from 1946-1948 and in the Grand Rapids Public Schools from 1950-1978. He played viola in the Grand Rapids Symphony, tuba in the Calder City Band, Grand Rapids Symphonic Band, and Saladin Shrine Band where he was also the band’s conductor for many years. He was also the choir director at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Kentwood and Burton Baptist Church in Grand Rapids. He sang barbershop in Largo, Florida; enjoyed playing in the Second Time Rounders Band in St. Petersburg, Florida, and sang in several church choirs in Grand Rapids, Marquette, and Largo, Florida. This wonderful legacy lives on in his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and their spouses. His granddaughter, Ann Alexander-Golden, describes it as the family “disease”. Family members are either musicians, are married to them or both. Two of John’s three sons are/were music educators, as is one grandson, one granddaughter, and one grand son-in-law. His oldest great-grandson plays John’s old tuba! Seems the beat and the music goes on! In addition to his musical legacy, John also leaves behind an impressive history of service through his masonic affiliations. They include participation in the Furniture City Masonic High 12 Club #236, DeMolay Commandery #5, Order of Eastern Star #65 where he served as Worthy Patron, Doric Lodge #342, Tyre Council #10, and Saladin Shrine all of Grand Rapids, and Ahmed Shrine and Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Marquette. When retirement came, John and Grace spent winters in Mexico and Florida, experiencing many great adventures traveling the Mexican highways, always making new friends along the way.

However, John’s greatest fulfillment and happiness came from family.

His survivors include his daughter; Martha (Jon) Alexander of Grand Rapids; two sons; William (Susan) DeVoe of Faithhorn and Robert (Alison Albrecht) DeVoe of Minnetonka, MN; daughter-in-law Deborah DeVoe of Grand Rapids; nine grandchildren; Jason Alexander and Larry Brayman of Boca Raton, FL, Ann and Tom Alexander-Golden of Bellaire, Jamie DeVoe of Grand Rapids, Michelle and Brian Umlor of Coopersville, Sarah and Esteban Gonzales of Cranston, RI, Kate DeVoe and Bryan Schumann of Roseville, MN, Eric Devoe and Becky Gaiovnik of St. Paul, MN, Madelyn DeVoe and fiance, Ben Jondle of Milwaukee, WI, Reid DeVoe (US Army); five great-grandchildren: Isaac, Cameron, and Olivia Golden, Kalvin Barnett, and Noah Umlor; his sister, Helen DeVoe Rosbolt of Port Huron and Indian Rocks Beach, FL; nieces; Jean and John Zoda and Judy Lentz both of Florida, Jane and David Gladstone of Michigan, and many other nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends.

John DeVoe

John was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; Grace in September 2013; a son; Benjamin DeVoe; and sisters; Jane and Jean DeVoe.

The family will receive relatives and friends at Marquette Hope – Marquette Campus, 111 E. Ridge Street, Marquette, on Saturday, November 9, beginning at 11:00 am until the time of service at 12:00 noon. A reception will follow in the church fellowship hall. Interment will be made in the Park Cemetery.

Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com