Gene R. DeVol

Gene R. DeVol, 96, passed away on December 17, 2025, at New London Specialty Care Center in New London, Iowa.
Born August 2, 1929, in Fort Madison, Iowa, he was the son of Delbert and Elvia DeVol of Fort Madison, Iowa.
He was a 1947 graduate of Fort Madison High School, where he was very active in music, band, football, basketball, and track. He was a pole vaulter, a lifeguard, and also loved to sing, tap, and dance with his sister while growing up. He cherished his lifelong friends from that time.
He joined the Navy in 1948 for five years. During that time, he married the love of his life, Doris Prickett of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.
He then attended the University of Iowa to obtain a B.A., while also working and having his first two of four children.
He settled and raised their four kids in Burlington. Gene worked for the Burlington Hawkeye as an Advertising Salesman and had a part-time position at Witte Drug. Gene's church family was Christ Episcopal, where he had served at different times on the Vestry and choir.
His work career in 1975 took him to Ankeny, Iowa, where he was an Advertising Sales Manager for the Des Moines Register. Gene and his family attended St. Anne's and cherished their friends and neighbors.
A new job opportunity moved them to Lake Havasu, Arizona, where he was the publisher of the Lake Havasu Herald, then the Foothills Sentinel, until he retired. He and Doris loved the heat and their mountain view trips and trips to Laughlin, and the church family at Grace Church.
They returned to Burlington, Iowa, in 2003, where old friendships were rekindled, and new ones were made in his neighborhood.
After Doris died in 2007, after 55 years of marriage, he developed a lifelong friendship with Nancy Guffey, who shared the joy of Barbershop music and puzzling, the outdoors, and was a huge comfort to him until his death.
Our father's quote every year was, "I'd just like one more season in the sun!!" and he got 96 years of them!
Gene's hobbies, up until age 90, were his bowling leagues and Barbershop singing in several quartets, which was his true passion. His bass voice will never be forgotten, and he was always humming or singing and had a memory for lyrics that amazed the grandkids.
Gene was a wonderful, loving father to Denise Oleary of West Burlington, Sandra (Ken) Moyner of St. Charles, Illinois, Wendy Froehle, and Gene B. of St Cloud, Minnesota.
Gene loved his grandkids, and they loved him. He was quiet but showed his love, grandchildren: Amanda (Dan) Russelburg, John Moyner, Jason (Nicole) Oleary; great-grandchildren: Braydan and Parker Russelburg. Later in life, he met his Grandson, Daniel (Sandra) Houser, and his great-granddaughter, Belle, which was a delight to him.
He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Doris, daughter Wendy, sister Joan, and brother Wayne.
The family is thankful for Gene's caregivers from Care Initiatives Hospice, the New London Specialty Care staff, and Father Carl from Christ Episcopal for his humor and spirituality.
Our family was truly blessed, and we will all miss him terribly, but thankful he is at peace.
Per his wishes, cremation has been entrusted and accorded to the care of Lunning Chapel. A memorial service will be held at a later date at the Christ Episcopal Church in Burlington. A private burial in Long Creek Cemetery will be held.
A memorial has been established in his memory for Christ Episcopal Church.