Dean William DeVoe, Sr. 

Dean William DeVoe, Sr. of Stockbridge, Michigan, formerly of Chelsea, age 81, passed away Sunday, May 18, 2025, from heart failure. He was at home with the support of his family and hospice services. He was born August 30, 1943, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the son of Arthur William and Viola Winifred (Burnett) DeVoe.

Dean grew up on a farm in Dexter, MI which he helped run with his siblings. After graduation he enlisted in the Air Force and was a Vietnam veteran. He served as an Aircraft Pneudraulic Technician and was stationed at Bentwaters Base, in England, and traveled to other countries to repair planes. Once discharged, Dean was a Machinist at Dana Corporation for 30 years. During the evenings and weekends, he enjoyed farming, gardening, fishing, fixing cars and being outside. He loved to work and made it a point to keep his 6 kids busy taking care of animals, maintaining an enormous garden, repairing and, or building anything necessary. After retirement, he traveled to Alaska, and multiple other states to prospect for gold with the Lost Dutchman Association. Over the last couple of years, it was hard for him to walk because of a broken back sustained in 1978. He kept his mind active by attending family events, reading books about history, wars, and homeopathic remedies, (we were well informed about fluoride, before RFK Jr. mentioned it), and even took up playing harmonica.

He was tough, had strong values, loved to lecture, but provided unwavering support over many years all while taking care of everyone. Doing the right thing and putting others ahead of himself came naturally.  

Dean is survived by his 3 sons, Robert A. DeVoe of Tucson, AZ, Dean W. “DeanO” DeVoe, Jr. of Ann Arbor, Donald J. (Jennifer) DeVoe of Williamston; 2 daughters, Dianne R. DeVoe of Ann Arbor, and Deborah D. Loniewski of Haslett; 2 grandsons, Henry M. Loniewski and Thomas A. Loniewski; brothers, Richard (Laverne) A. DeVoe, Doug (Shelia) DeVoe; and special mention, niece and nephews, Michaela (Andrew) Stribe, Jason (Christina) Scripter, Russel G. Scripter, Daniel (Emily) DeVoe; with numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.

Dean married Bonnie Elliott on December 17, 2001, she survives, along with stepson, Tyler S. McGuire.

He was preceded in death by his parents and first wife, Nancy K. Parks in July 2000; daughter, Denise M. DeVoe in April 2006, sister Donna (Bud) Cauffman of NewPort Richey, FL, in May 2018, and brother, Duane (Shirley – survived) DeVoe, in May 2023.

A simple gravesite burial service to honor his time in the Air Force, and say farewell, will be held at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Chelsea, on Tuesday, May 27, at 11 am. Memorial contributions may be made to Arbor Hospice, https://arborhospice.org/donate/, 2366 Oak Valley Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48103. Arrangements were entrusted to Cole Funeral Chapel in Chelsea.