Rev. Vernon DeVantier

Blissfield: Vernon DeVantier, 78, of Blissfield went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Thursday, June 03, 2010 at his home. Vernon was born on March 2, 1932 to Edward and Thekla DeVantier in Bergholtz, New York. On July 2, 1955 in Lewiston, New York, he married Harriet Landres. At the age of 9, Vernon heard a missionary speak and from that moment on he decided that he wanted to be a Pastor. He received his bachelor’s degree from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio in 1954 and his Masters in Divinity from the Evangelical Theological Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio in 1958. His first call was to St. Mark’s and Bethlehem Lutheran Churches in Defiance, Ohio. In 1965 he was called to serve at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Blissfield, where he ministered for 23 years. Before retiring, he also served at Zion Lutheran Church in Petersburg, Michigan and St. Michael Lutheran Church in Ottawa Lake, Michigan, where he was a member and sang in the choir. In addition to serving the Lord, Vernon also gave back to the community. He was a past member of the Blissfield Rotary. He also served as a board member of the Bliss Liewert Senior Center, and of the Lenawee Parks and Recreation Board. Because of his love and concern for the unborn, one of his greatest joys was serving for 30 years on the Living Water Works, Crisis Pregnancy Center Board in Adrian, Michigan. Vernon is survived by his wife of 54 years, Harriet DeVantier of Blissfield, 1 son, James (Michelle) DeVantier of Blissfield and 3 daughters, Louise (Gregory) Solak of St. Joseph, Michigan, Deborah (David) Kimmelman of Riga and Barbara (Ronald) Schmidt of Blissfield; 11 grandchildren, Matthew and Michael Solak, Erica, Lindsay and David DeVantier, Kelly, James and Katie Kimmelman and Amy, Eric and Anna Schmidt; 3 brothers, Edward (Elaine) DeVantier, Roger (Doris) DeVantier and Loren (Norma) DeVantier, and many other wonderful relatives. Vernon was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Thekla. Funeral services for Vernon will be held on Monday, June 7, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Michael Lutheran Church, 5790 W. Temperance Rd., Ottawa Lake, Michigan, 49267, with Pastor Mark D. Gibbs officiating. Burial will follow in Pleasant View Cemetery in Blissfield. Visitation will take place on Sunday, June 6, 2010 from 1 to 4 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m. at the Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel in Blissfield. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Lenawee or to St. Michael Lutheran Church, Ottawa Lake. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home and church. You may send condolences to the family at www.wagleyfuneralhome.com

Rev. Vernon DeVantier

March 2, 1932 - June 3, 2010