Obituary - Posted: 5/10/06
John "Jack" P. Dever
John ěJackî P. Dever, age 93, of Caledonia, died Wednesday, May 10, 2006, at Tweeten Lutheran Healthcare Center in Spring Grove.
He was born April 3, 1913 in Glenhest, County Mayo, Ireland, to John and Sarah (Farrah) Dever. His youth was spent working as a carpenter in England, Scotland, and Wales. He immigrated to America in 1947 when at the age of 28 he was called by a distant cousin to farm with his brother in Looney Valley, Houston. A carpenter by trade and a farmer by accident, Jack was a self-taught woodworker, mechanic, electrician, carpenter, and plumber. He embraced a new country and a new career.
In 1965, the bachelor farmer married a young widow, Virginia Welscher McManimon, at St. Peterís Church in Caledonia. He became father to her four children whom he raised as his own and later Jack and Virginia had two more children together. He farmed for 26 years until his retirement in 1973.
He is survived by his wife, Virginia of Caledonia; a son, Shawn (Andrea) Dever, Byron; and daughters, Sheila (Daniel) Schroeder, Judith (Bill) Albert and Patty (Bob) McManimon-Moe of Caledonia, and Bonnie Matter, Cottage Grove; twelve grandchildren; and special nieces, Sheila (Jim) Waldron, Mary (Jim) Tighe, Eileen (Don) Powell, and Kathleen (Bob) Benton, all of Halifax, England.
He was preceded in death by his son, Richard McManimon, his brother, Denis Dever, his sisters, Annie Geraghty, and Eileen Wilson.
Mass of Christian Burial will be a 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 13, at St. Maryís Catholic Church, Caledonia. Father Gregory Leif will officiate and burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Caledonia. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Holy Family Hall, behind St. Maryís Church, 511 South Pine, Caledonia, where a prayer service will be said at 7:30 p.m. Friends may also call one hour prior to the service at the church Saturday.
McCormick Funeral Home, Caledonia is assisting the family with arrangements.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com