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Edward DeVILLEZ Obituary
News Death Notice
DeVILLEZ, Dr. Edward J. age 74, of Oxford, passed away on September 18, 2013 at his residence. He was born in Covington, Kentucky, on April 12, 1939, the son of the late Elmer and Antoinette (nee Moutschka) DeVillez. Edward was a Professor of Zoology at Miami University and a member of St. Mary Church. He was very active with numerous organizations and charities, which included the Oxford Senior Center and Southwest Council on Aging. Edward cherished his time with his family and loved fishing and golfing in his free time. Those left to cherish his memory are, his beloved wife, Mary Jo DeVillez (nee Fieger); his children, Dianne (Mike) Sunderman, Tagg (Donna) DeVillez, Joe (Diane) DeVillez, Ellie (Steve) Megerle, Annie (Don) Lemersal and Steve (Carrie) DeVillez; 15 grandchildren and one great grandchild; numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Jeanine Murray. Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday at 12pm at St. Mary Church, 111 E High St., Oxford, OH, 45056. Visitation will be Monday prior to Mass from 9am-11:30am at the Ogle & Paul R. Young Funeral Home, 5086 College Corner Pike, Oxford. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to VITAS Hospice, 11500 Northlake Dr., Suite 400, Cincinnati, OH, 45249 or to the Oxford Food Pantry c/o St. Mary Church, Oxford. Condolences may be left for the family at www.oglepaulyoungfuneralhome.com
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Memories and Condolences
for Edward DeVILLEZ
Tina Miller-Way
January 7, 2014
The DeVillez family: I read the news in the latest Miami U alumni magazine and I are very sorry to hear of Dr. DeVillez's passing. I worked in his lab as an undergraduate student investigating anaerobic enzymes on his favorite nereid worms. I went to Woods Hole (Buzzards Bay) one summer when he taught a marine invertebrate zoology course there (and where I met my husband). He allowed me to drive the van with the equipment there so I could afford to go. And of course I took several of his classes and recall the way he perched his glasses on the end of his nose when he was lecturing. When he found out I recommended him for teacher of the year, he sent me the Miami apple pin that the administration gave him upon his nomination. He was a great mentor and a great person and I will always hold him in great esteem. My heartfelt condolences.
Kevin Stachowski
October 7, 2013
I was blessed to have Dr. DeVillez as my mentor in grad school. I looked up to him as a Christian, a teacher and a scientist.
Pete DeVillez
October 1, 2013
Accept my condolences on the loss of "Dr. Ed" and my prayers and thoughts are with you all at this time. I received a phone call one evening about 6 years ago from Dr. Ed who called me after I left my name and contact information in the guest book at St. Augustine Church in Leopold, Indiana. That call started a genealogy exchange and I recall directing Ed to Henry DeVillez's gravesite behind the church in Leopold. He then he arranged for the government marker to be added. I enjoyed a trip to Dr. Ed's home on the river in Kentucky a few years later as a mini-genealogy meeting. And, Ed organized the great DeVillez Family reunion last September in Leopold, Indiana that all participants thoroughly enjoyed. Dr. Ed was a genuine man and very humble. He had a great sense of humor and he enriched everyone's lives that he met. I was honored and privileged that he reached out to me. What a blessing to have known such a great man. God bless you all.
Marian Smithson
September 30, 2013
We are sorry to learn of Ed's death. He was a gentle man and will surely be missed by those who knew him. We extend our sympathies to the Devillez family.
Marian and Mike Smithson
Glen Carbon, Illinois (near St. Louis)
Dennis Claussen
September 26, 2013
Dear Mary Jo and Family,
We were sad to learn of Ed's death. Though he may be gone, he will be long remembered for his integrity, helpfulness, and great sense of humor. He was a wonderful colleague and a great friend.
Elizabeth Claussen
September 26, 2013
Mary Jo,
I can't really express how sad both Dennis and I are to have heard about Ed's death. For him, at least, now there is peace, but for you and your family (and all who love him), it is a terrific loss, I know. Certainly we feel it. In all these years we've known you both, Dennis and I have always brightened at the thought of seeing you or spending an evening with you at bridge or just with the zoology group. I, personally, will miss his slightly ironic, generally wry, but always so human and positive little sides and remarks, and just the general comfortable-with-humanity way that was Ed. I do hope you, and your family, but especially you since I know how close you and Ed were, will slowly find peace and some comfort in the months to come.
Mike DeVillez
September 25, 2013
I am very sorry to hear of Ed's death. I met him only last year at the DeVillez family reunion in Leopold, Indiana and it truly was like meeting a family member for the first time. It was clear Ed was an educator because of the look of enjoyment he had each time he amazed us with our shared ancestry facts. I'm sorry I did not meet him sooner but I am sure glad that I did.
Robert Vogel
September 23, 2013
To The Devillez family,
What a wonderful, wonderful human being who will be dearly missed by so many. I got to know Ed back in the late 70's when we shared a car to teach on the Middletown campus in the evening. Ed's sense of humor was contagious--I was a young assistant professor at the time and Ed had such a fine way of making me so comfortable. Ed was truly a modest individual who mentored those around him by example.
In later years Ed and I would run into each other at the rec center where we enjoyed catching-up with each other. That wonderful sense of humor was again ever so present.
Please know my prayers and thoughts are with each of you.
Bob Vogel
Oxford
Patricia Stearns
September 23, 2013
1 Corinthians 13:12
Now we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day; for our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For, what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Truth is I'm weak, no strength to try, and no tears to cry even if I try
But still my soul refuses to die; one touch will change my life
Take me to the King I don't have much to bring my heart is torn in pieces it's my offering
Lay me at the throne, leave me there alone to gaze upon your glory and sing to you this song
Please take me to the King!
Steve and family your dear father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend is with the King! Rejoice! Rejoice! Rejoice! Amen
Bill Lack
September 23, 2013
Thoughts and prayers from our family to yours during this difficult time. Ed was a good man and a respected professor.
He will be missed.
Karen & Joe Fares
September 23, 2013
Mrs. DeVillez, Joe & Diane,
We're sorry for your loss.
September 22, 2013
Dear Jo
Sixty eight years includes a lot of experiences in the journey of life and friendship. I can't imagine your loss but know our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Love Urs and Carl
Rita Voltmer
September 22, 2013
Dear Mary Jo and Family:
As a new assistant professor of science education at Miami in 1984, Dr. Paul Daniel introduced me to Ed. We hit it off immediately. Ed took me, this young upstart, under his wing. He was a full professor who took the time and interest to help me, a colleague in another division at Miami.....but then that was Ed.
I loved his easy going manner, light heartedness, and willingness to help the "new kid on the block". He always had time to talk, to answer a question, to offer a smile, and to offer advice if asked. We worked on various projects together, some of which involved groups of inservice teachers.
He shared his library carrel space with me and later transferred the carrel space to me to use full time in Hughes Hall. These carrels were in high demand and difficult to reserve, especially by a new prof in another Division. This carrel was very useful and so convenient because my office was in McGuffey Hall and I was teaching large science lectures in 100 Laws Hall at that time. Ed knew of my schedule and said this carrel should be mine.
In one of our conversations about the future here at Miami, he suggested I "put away" money each month from my salary and start an annuity. I did! Now that I have retired, I am glad I followed his advice.
Ed also introduced me to many of his zoology colleagues and said I was always welcome at the "zoo table" in the former 1809 Room. These new zoology contacts opened the door for even more collaborations.
Ed knew that I really liked to fish, so we swapped some fish stories too. He really talked fondly of his times fishing in Kentucky.
I missed him when he retired. My life at Miami was richer and more fun for having interacted with Ed. I am so fortunate to have crossed paths with this man. My sincere condolences to all of you.
Mike & Rosie Kilday
September 22, 2013
Mary Jo & Family-Our thoughts & prayers are with you.We are sorry about your loss.Ed was a wonderful father & friend Sincerely Mike & Rosie Kilday
Carol and Dan Prendergast
September 22, 2013
To the entire Devillez family,
Our prayers and thoughts have been with you and continue as you mourn the loss of a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, educator, man.
With love~
Steve Conner
September 21, 2013
I am very sorry to hear about your loss. God has taken a good man home. My sincere condolences.
Ann & Lou Kunkel
September 21, 2013
Jo, Lou and I are sending our love at this sad time. Eddie made each reunion such fun. You two were lucky to have each other and now he is in Heaven entertaining everyone. Love, Ann and Lou Kunkel in [email protected]
September 21, 2013
Dear Mary Jo and Family,
I am sorry about losing Ed. He was a good guy, and I always enjoyed seeing him when we both had offices ages ago in Upham Hall. Mary Jo, if I see you at an ILR event or class, where you are always one of the most enthusiastic participants, I will extend my condolences to you in person. Don Daiker
Elaine Sanson
September 21, 2013
So sorry, Jo. Praying God's hand gives you comfort. Your Ed was a happy man, esp. when he was at water's edge.
Elaine Sanson, St. Henry HS
John Schulte
September 21, 2013
Our thoughts and prayers go out to your family. Eddie will be missed by all the residents of Craig's Creek. I will miss the early fishing run of the Devillez boat to catch the first fish of the day. Will miss you cuz. John
Alice Tung
September 20, 2013
Joe, I'm so sorry for your and your family's loss. My heart and prayers go out to each of you and the lives that your dad touched.
Pat Ernst
September 20, 2013
My heart is so sad tonight. Our consolation is knowing that Ed is with so many who loved him so much: his Mom and Dad, Jeanine, Aunt Louise, Aunt Leone, my Mom and Grandma and all the DeVillez. God bless you and your family Mary Jo.
Pat Ernst (Schulte)
Ron Siliko
September 20, 2013
Eddie was a special man who always made everyone feel important with his interactions. I always learned from his wisdom and appreciated the time he shared with me.
Marianne Horgan nee Jansing
September 20, 2013
So sorry to hear of Eddie's passing...I was a classmate of his @ BSS@ & had a puppylove crush on him in 7th 8th grade...
Dave Trout
September 20, 2013
I am saddened by the loss of Ed. He was a special friend and fishing buddy. He was someone who made life brighter for those who were fortunate enough to know him well.
I will always remember my time spent with Ed as truly special. He will be missed by all.
September 20, 2013
My condolences for your loss....Ed was a wonderful man who could light up a room with his fun personality!
~ Diana Deaton, Hamilton, Ohio
Barb (Lohre) Cooney
September 20, 2013
Jo..
My Deepest sympathy to you and the family.
Barb (Lohre) Cooney
September 20, 2013
My deepest sympathy.
Mary Jo (Hussey) & Bob Meek
September 20, 2013
Mary Jo and family - we are so sorry for your loss. May God keep you close during this time of sorrow.
Tom Hanf & Claudia Brown
September 20, 2013
Claudia and I have fond memories of Ed at St. Mary Parish and many venues in Oxford. Peace be with Mary Jo and the family.
Rachael Powers (Murray)
September 19, 2013
I send my love and prayers during this difficult time
Dave Wilson
September 19, 2013
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I know he was a very respected and loved Professor at Miami University. He was such a wonderful colleague and brought much joy to those who knew him.
Ken Wilson
September 19, 2013
I am very sorry to hear about this loss. Ed did a lot for the seniors in our area and was a wonderful teacher. He will be missed.
walter vaughn
September 19, 2013
Dianne and family, know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and yours. Iam sorry to hear about the loss of your father.
Walter Vaughn
September 19, 2013
Dianne -
I am so very sorry to hear about your father. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Dee Ziegler
Joni Robinson
September 18, 2013
One of my favorite "zoologists".
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