Vernon Lee DeVries

Vernon Lee DeVries, 89, passed away on November 26, 2024, at Liberty Court Assisted Living Facility in Dixon, IL, with his wife, Pauline, by his side. Vernon was born at home near Forreston, IL, on November 19, 1935. He grew up on a farm near Shannon, IL, with his parents and sister. He married Lois Ann Swalve in 1958, in Forreston, and was widowed in 1989. Vernon remarried in 1990 to Pauline (Gordon) Albright, with whom he lived the remainder of his life.
Vernon graduated from Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL, in 1957 and attended seminary at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA, and Dubuque Theological Seminary in Dubuque, IA, earning a Divinity Degree in 1960. He pastored two churches, one in Michigan and one in Indiana, for seven years. He then moved his young family to Dixon, IL, where he began work at Dixon National Bank and later Amcore Financial Inc. Among other duties, he spent ten years as manager of the data processing department and fourteen years as Internal Auditor. He retired in 1995.
Over the years, Vernon was treasurer of Rock River Bible Camp, Bethel E.C. Church, and the Kiwanis Club. He was actively involved in Bethel E.C. Church in Dixon for many years, serving on the Official Board, teaching Sunday School, and singing in the choir. He also volunteered at the Senior Citizen Center in Dixon, providing tax preparation assistance, and he and Pauline delivered Meals on Wheels for many years. He loved to travel and enjoyed creating photo albums and videos to document his many trips in the U.S. and other countries.
Vernon was a strong Christian and lived a moral, humble life before his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was a man of few words, but was highly respected and loved by many.
Vernon was preceded in death by his first wife, Lois; his parents, Lewis and Helen (Vietmeier) DeVries; and his sister, Ruth Ann (Ray) Keating.
Vernon is survived by his wife, Pauline; his two sons, Dan (Molly) DeVries, Houston, TX, and David (Marcia) DeVries, Dixon; step-daughter, Cindy (Randy) Reuter, Oregon, IL; four grandchildren, Jonathan (Amy) DeVries, Anchorage, AK, Hannah (Larry) Williamson, Jackson, MS, Connor DeVries, Houston, TX, and Cayley DeVries, Houston, TX; two step-grandchildren, Ryan (Kristen) Reuter, Murray, UT, and Amber (Chad) Messer, Golden, CO; four great-grandchildren, Benaiah, Charese, Ezekiel, and Elijah DeVries; and one step-great-grandchild, Ava Messer.
A Visitation will be held from 10:00 am until the time of the Funeral Service at 11:00 am on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at Bethel E.C. Church in Dixon with Pastor Ron West, officiating, with a Luncheon at the church to follow. Burial will take place at 2:00 pm at Forreston Grove Cemetery in Forreston, IL.
Memorials have been established to Bethel E.C. Church and Rock River Bible Camp.
Arrangements were completed by Preston-Schilling Funeral Home in Dixon.
Condolences may be sent to www.prestonschilling.com. To send flowers to the family of Vernon, please visit our floral store.