- Joan L. Devereaux, age 69, died Saturday,
February 2, 2008 at home surrounded by her
loving family and in the care of Ministry
Hospice. Joan was born August 20, 1938 to
Benson and Florence (Bilicki) Smerlinski in
Milwaukee.
She married Thomas Devereaux on
September 28, 1957 in Okauchee, WI. Joan
was employed 23 years at Devereaux
Plumbing and Heating. Her involvement and
dedication to our community was very
noteworthy. She served as a Rhinelander
Ambassador, the chapter chairman of the
local Red Cross for two years, and
Rhinelander Chamber of Commerce President
during 19821983.
In 1993, she was named
Sugar Camp Outstanding Citizen of the year.
She was instrumental in the Sugar Camp
Youth Club, and for eight years she assisted
with the St. Jude's Bikeathon.
At age 62,
she went back to school and received her
CNA degree from Nicolet Area Technical
College.
Joan's faith was also very important to her.
She was a lifemember
of St. Kunegunda
Catholic Church where she served as a CCD
teacher, parish cookbook editor, coordinator
for two consecutive parish directories,
chairperson for the 100th Anniversary
Celebration of St. Kunegunda Parish, and a
member of the "Just Us" music ministry. She
also worked with her husband for the many
efforts of the Sugar Camp Lions Club. Joan
was very proud of her Polish Heritage as
well, but most of all she loved her family and
the music they made together.
Joan is survived by her husband, Tom; their
children; Denise (Mark) Martalock, Sun
Prairie, WI. , Joe (Nola) Devereaux,
Milwaukee, Lisa (Curt) Krouze, Rhinelander,
and Charles (Cynthia) Devereaux, Sugar
Camp, eleven grandchildren; Nelson, Dedra,
and Max, Lauren, Derek, Anna, and Adrian,
Cydney, Isabella, and Charley, and Jessica, a
brother, Jack (Kathy) Merlin, Nashville, TN.,
her loving dog, Polly, as well as much
extended family and close friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents,
her sisters; Grace Jefferies, Geri Reich, and
her twin sister, Jean Andrews.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on
Wednesday, February 6, 2008 at 11:00 A.M.
at St. Kunegunda of Poland Catholic Church in
Sugar Camp with Father William Horath
officiating. Inurnment will be in St.
Kunegunda's Catholic Cemetery in the spring.
Visitation will be from 9:30 A.M. until the
time of the Memorial Mass at the church on
Wednesday morning.
|
1938 - 2008 (69 years)
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