Cover photo for Marvin E. DeVries's Obituary
Marvin E. DeVries Profile Photo
1931 Marvin 2022

Marvin E. DeVries

April 8, 1931 — December 5, 2022

Kalamazoo

Marvin E. DeVries, born April 8, 1931 in Kalamazoo, Michigan to John and Winnie (Morren) DeVries passed away on December 5, 2022 to join his Lord and Savior in Heaven.

Marv graduated from Kalamazoo Christian High School in 1948 and received a Master Certificate from the Kalamazoo College Business and Industrial Management Center.   He joined the Upjohn Company in 1949 where he worked until retirement in 1990.

He served as an Elder and Deacon as well as Sunday school teacher in the Second Christian Reformed Church and later at Covenant United Reformed Church in Kalamazoo.  He also served as President of the North Christian School Board.

Beginning in 1966 when he was first appointed to the Zoning Board, Marv served the Township of Kalamazoo on many boards and commissions including as an elected Trustee and was also the Kalamazoo Township Police Commissioner for several years.  He was the first Township board member to graduate from the State of Michigan's Township Governance Academy.

On October 25, 1950 he married the love of his life, Rena (VanderVeen) who survives.  They were blessed with 72 years of marriage.  Also surviving are six children:  David DeVries (Kalamazoo MI), Carol (William) Braat (Kalamazoo MI), James (Lisa) DeVries (Hastings MI), Jerry (Kimberly) DeVries (Lakeland FL), Steven (Terri) DeVries (Kalamazoo MI) and Mary Romanak (Portage MI), 11 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and cousins, nieces and nephews.

Marvin was predeceased by his parents, mother-in-law and father-in-law Ralph and Elsie VanderVeen, son in-law Mark Romanak, brother Gerald DeVries, two infant brothers, and several brothers and sisters-in-law.

Marvin loved his family and they could not have asked for a better example of what a loving husband, father and grandfather should be.  He will be truly missed but what a blessing he was in their lives.

The family would like to give special thanks to family friend Pam Post for her kindness, care and attention over the last few months and much gratitude to Pam's sister, our family member Kimberly DeVries for her devoted round the clock caregiving and comfort in the last week and previous times.

Private family interment will be in Grand Prairie Cemetery. Friends may meet the family from 12:30-1:30pm on Thursday, December 8 at the Covenant United Reformed Church, 3724 Lovers Lane, Kalamazoo, MI 49001 where funeral services will follow at 1:30pm. A light reception will follow the service. Memorials may be directed to Centrica Care Navigators. To view Marv’s personalized webpage please visit https://www.langelands.com

To order memorial trees in memory of Marvin E. DeVries, please visit our tree store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Thursday, December 8, 2022

12:30 - 1:30 pm (Eastern time)

Covenant United Reformed Church

3724 Lovers Lane, Kalamazoo, MI 49001

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Funeral Service

Thursday, December 8, 2022

Starts at 1:30 pm (Eastern time)

Covenant United Reformed Church

3724 Lovers Lane, Kalamazoo, MI 49001

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

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