Richard L. DeVito
April 25, 1930 – February 20, 2018
A funeral service will be held at Joldersma & Klein Funeral Home on Saturday, February 24, 2018 at 11:00 AM with Pastor Ray Brandon officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at Hillside Cemetery in Plainwell. Visitation will take place at the funeral home on Friday, February 23, 2018 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM.
Obituary
Age 87, passed away on Tuesday, February 20, 2018. Dick was born in the Bronx, New York on April 25, 1930, the son of the late Salvatore and Lucille (Grossi) DeVito. After high school, he joined the U.S. Air Force and served his country honorably during the Korean War. After the war, Dick came to visit Kalamazoo with a friend. While in Kalamazoo he met his future wife, Eleanor J. Ruse, who he would marry on September 5, 1953. Dick worked as a salesman for several local companies, retiring from Warner Lambert (formerly American Chicle). He also owned and operated Enco Gas and Service Station during the 1960s. Dick was an avid golfer and bowler. He was a loyal New York Yankees fan, coached little league for many years and umpired for city league softball. Dick enjoyed watching his grandchildren’s sporting events and rarely missed a game. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Eleanor DeVito; children, Dennis (Kay) DeVito and Tina (Steve) Terry; grandchildren: Amanda (Ryan) Groulx, Charlie (Sarah) Terry, Travis (Jillian) Terry, Nick (Sandy) DeVito and Elizabeth (Jake) Bronson; great-grandchildren, Sonora, Maizy, Owen, Natalie, Nathan, Reagan, Ellarie, Louis and Blake; sister, Jean Believe and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Dick was preceded in death by his brother, Salvatore DeVito.
To Eleanor and Family, You Have or deepest sympathy and condolences. I knew Dick when he bowled yrs with my husband Don at Airway lanes. My children and I went with Don a lot of the times he bowled with Dick on the same team. Got to know Dick how funny he was towards the children. I think they look forward to that night every week. He would always give them gum IF they behaved. So needless to say they were always good. Dick was a very joyful happy man. You could tell he loved children. I miss seeing his smile. Our Prayers are with you and the Family. May God bless and comfort you and Dick is resting in peace. He probably be handing gum out to children in heaven, and bowling with Don in Heaven. Arlene,Laurie,Steve,Duane,and Linda
To Eleanor and Family, You Have or deepest sympathy and condolences. I knew Dick when he bowled yrs with my husband Don at Airway lanes. My children and I went with Don a lot of the times he bowled with Dick on the same team. Got to know Dick how funny he was towards the children. I think they look forward to that night every week. He would always give them gum IF they behaved. So needless to say they were always good. Dick was a very joyful happy man. You could tell he loved children. I miss seeing his smile. Our Prayers are with you and the Family. May God bless and comfort you and Dick is resting in peace. He probably be handing gum out to children in heaven, and bowling with Don in Heaven. Arlene,Laurie,Steve,Duane,and Linda
Dick will always be someone to look up to. Eleanor, we are praying for you and your family. He has left us all richer for having known him. Peace
Dick will always be someone to look up to. Eleanor, we are praying for you and your family. He has left us all richer for having known him. Peace
So sorry for your loss. We have lost a wonderful man. Our prayers to Eleanor and family.
So sorry for your loss. We have lost a wonderful man. Our prayers to Eleanor and family.
Eleanor, I’m sorry to learn about Dick. I was always very fond of both of you. I hope you have a furry companion to comfort and entertain you now. Take care, Dr K
Eleanor, I’m sorry to learn about Dick. I was always very fond of both of you. I hope you have a furry companion to comfort and entertain you now. Take care, Dr K
Dear Dick Devito family, I am saddened to hear of Dick’s passing . I had the pleasure of meeting him many years ago when I was a sales rep in the grocery business. I would see him at Klosterman’s and in accounts. I always loved our discussions. He was so kind and funny. I have one favorite story to tell you. As a rep, I had to get in and out of my vehicle every day, taking product, free items, and displays into my stores. The winter was tough, and complained to Dick that I was always cold, as I had to wear business attire (suit coat and pants). He convinced me I could wear long underwear under my nice clothes along with warmer boots. I took his advice and was much more comfortable! Whenever I would see him, he would ask me if I had my long underwear. That was our joke. I left retail for a while. After, returning, I would see him and Eleanor at Meijer’s and always enjoyed seeing him, with the joke always mentioned. To Dick’s family my hearfelt condolences to you all. He was a wondeful man and I am sure that there are many fond memories that you all have. Prayers and love to you all. Julie Schelling
Dear Dick Devito family, I am saddened to hear of Dick’s passing . I had the pleasure of meeting him many years ago when I was a sales rep in the grocery business. I would see him at Klosterman’s and in accounts. I always loved our discussions. He was so kind and funny. I have one favorite story to tell you. As a rep, I had to get in and out of my vehicle every day, taking product, free items, and displays into my stores. The winter was tough, and complained to Dick that I was always cold, as I had to wear business attire (suit coat and pants). He convinced me I could wear long underwear under my nice clothes along with warmer boots. I took his advice and was much more comfortable! Whenever I would see him, he would ask me if I had my long underwear. That was our joke. I left retail for a while. After, returning, I would see him and Eleanor at Meijer’s and always enjoyed seeing him, with the joke always mentioned. To Dick’s family my hearfelt condolences to you all. He was a wondeful man and I am sure that there are many fond memories that you all have. Prayers and love to you all. Julie Schelling
Have very fond memories of Dick. He used to stop by our HairSalon almost every morning and have coffe prior to his day starting. He was alway upbeat so it was hard to start a day in the doldrums once Idck showed up. He was a wonderful person that I will forever have fond memories. To his family we will uphold you in our prayers in you time of loss. He was a true blessing to all that had the privilege of knowing him
Have very fond memories of Dick. He used to stop by our HairSalon almost every morning and have coffe prior to his day starting. He was alway upbeat so it was hard to start a day in the doldrums once Idck showed up. He was a wonderful person that I will forever have fond memories. To his family we will uphold you in our prayers in you time of loss. He was a true blessing to all that had the privilege of knowing him
Dear Kay and family, I am so sorry for the loss of grandpa! Will be praying for you during this time of remembrance and loss.
Dear Kay and family, I am so sorry for the loss of grandpa! Will be praying for you during this time of remembrance and loss.
Dear DeVito Family, Our deepest sympathies to you. We have many fond memories of Dick from when he called on our business representing American Chicle. He was always professional, but more importantly he was a friend and someone we could count on. I’m sure you all grew up enjoying all sorts of candy samples, many before they were even on the market. The industry has certainly changed, but not our memories of the wonderful people we were privileged to associate with, like Dick. God bless and comfort you all. John Bartels, President, Klosterman’s.
Dear DeVito Family, Our deepest sympathies to you. We have many fond memories of Dick from when he called on our business representing American Chicle. He was always professional, but more importantly he was a friend and someone we could count on. I’m sure you all grew up enjoying all sorts of candy samples, many before they were even on the market. The industry has certainly changed, but not our memories of the wonderful people we were privileged to associate with, like Dick. God bless and comfort you all. John Bartels, President, Klosterman’s.
While I never had the pleasure of meeting your father, Kay, I know he must have been an awesome man to have raised a daughter who is so full of love, kindness and generosity. He must have been an awesome parent–because you are. Love, Rick
While I never had the pleasure of meeting your father, Kay, I know he must have been an awesome man to have raised a daughter who is so full of love, kindness and generosity. He must have been an awesome parent–because you are. Love, Rick
Our love and prayers to your family.
Our love and prayers to your family.
Many fond memories of a great smile and a wave at Pine Lake. Dan and Chris Willson
Many fond memories of a great smile and a wave at Pine Lake. Dan and Chris Willson
Our deepest sympathies to your family.
Our deepest sympathies to your family.
He was such a dear sweet man and he will be missed by all who knew him. All our love to Eleanor and the family.
He was such a dear sweet man and he will be missed by all who knew him. All our love to Eleanor and the family.
While I did not know Dick directly, I’ve heard many fond memories shared over the years through Jillian and Travis of what a wonderful man he was. I am so sorry for all of your loss. He is loved by so many and I know those fond memories will live on for generations to come. Rest In Peace.
While I did not know Dick directly, I’ve heard many fond memories shared over the years through Jillian and Travis of what a wonderful man he was. I am so sorry for all of your loss. He is loved by so many and I know those fond memories will live on for generations to come. Rest In Peace.
Dennis, Tina and family, you have our deepest sympathy. Losing a parent is never easy. You all will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Dennis, Tina and family, you have our deepest sympathy. Losing a parent is never easy. You all will be in our thoughts and prayers.
My Condolences to the family. Our prayers are with you.
My Condolences to the family. Our prayers are with you.