Irvin V. Deggelle

IRVIN V. DEGGELLE R 2/14/26 - 4/8/06 Born February 14, 1926, in Silverton, Oregon, Irvin's grandparents traveled west across the Montana Territory in a covered wagon. Irvin spent the last 46 years residing in Stuart, Florida. Serving in the Navy during W.W.II, he served in the Pacific Region on the USS San Francisco. Soon after his service in the Navy, he and brother, Allen, []bought a Roll-O-Plane Ride and traveled with the Gooding Amusement Company Columbus, Ohio. In 1951, Irvin met, and that fall married Evelyn Leedy. They traveled with Gooding until 1957, when he purchased a small Ohio Show partnering with brother Allen and Ev's father John Leedy, forming Deggeller Amusement Company. As the company grew, so did the fairs and celebrations. They played many State Fairs, County Fairs and Celebrations. He helped to create the start of several County Fairs and Celebrations. When the Carnival was sold, it was documented as the largest traveling carnival in North America. Irvin was a past President of the Miami Showmen's Association, one of the original founders of the Outdoor Amusement Business Association, member of the Showmen's League of America, International Independent Showmen's Association, and a Kentucky Colonel. He was a perpetual member of Masonic Lodge 163, a member of the Mahi Shrine and a Jester. Irvin's charitable trust helped build a 6,800 squarefoot addition to the Jesus House of Hope food bank in 2000. He was also a Director of the Coconut Point Yacht Club of Stuart, Florida. Irvin was inducted into the Outdoor Amusement Business Hall of Fame in February 2005. He was a major investor of real estate and owned much land in Martin County, the Florida Keys and North Carolina. Irvin was a major stockholder in the start of American Bank of Stuart. He co-owned Coy & Deggeller Construction Company, Realty One of Martin County, and IBSCO, a water treatment facility. The companies developed Sarita Heights, Stuart, Florida; Jensen Park Estates, Jensen Beach, Florida. He owned Deggeller Equipment Company, Deggeller Square, Stuart Confections, Inc. and in 1990, opened 76 Golf World, Inc. on Kanner Hwy. in Stuart, featuring a Golf Course, Driving Range, MiniGolf, Go-Carts, Batting Cages, Arcade, Club House, Snack Bar and Party Facilities. He loved to travel with his wife, Evelyn, around the world and many journeys throughout North America in their Motorcoach. He liked to play golf and liked boating on the St. Lucie River. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn; sister-inlaw, Barbara (Leedy) & Jim Bullis of Port St. Lucie; Amelia Deggeller of Salem, Oregon; brother-in-law Robert Coy of Jensen Beach; and many nieces and nephews located in Arizona, Florida, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Virginia and Washington. A Service will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 1500 S. Kanner Highway, Stuart, Florida at 2:00 p.m. on April 19, 2006. Interment at Fern Hill Cemetery in the family area. Donations may be made to: Soroptimist International of Stuart, Carolyn Coy Cancer Fund in Memory of Irvin Deggeller, Post Office Box 2246, Stuart, Florida 34995.