John Wayne DeVries

Arapahoe, Nebraska John Wayne DeVries, age 82, of Yuma, Arizona, formerly of Cambridge, Nebraska passed away on Friday, April 16, 2010, with his beloved wife, Marilyn, and his daughter, Mari Lyn, by his side. He was born on a farm near Arapahoe, Nebraska, on October 23, 1927 to Tobias and Elsie Clara (Hein) DeVries. Wayne graduated from Arapahoe High School in 1945. He farmed until he entered the service in 1950 and served his country during the Korean War in the United States Army. Wayne married Marilyn Johnson in 1954. The Lord gave them 56 years together and blessed them with five wonderful children, Rick, Shelly, Steve, Brian, and Mari Lyn. Wayne and Marilyn raised their family in Cambridge, where he worked as a private contractor remodeling homes and building new ones until his retirement in 1993. God gave him a building ministry in Mexico in 1995, where he continued to use the construction talents God had given him. Wayne worked in orphanages, helped to build churches, Sunday School buildings, and living quarters for native pastors and their families. It was his desire to serve the Lord until the Lord took him home. Wayne was preceded in death by his daughter, Shelly; his parents; brother-in-law, Richard Frogge, and sister-in-law, Diane DeVries; Niece, Barbara Ann Bockerman; Nephews, Bruce DeVries and Glenn DeVries, Jr. He is survived by his wife: Marilyn DeVries of Yuma, Arizona Sons: Rick and Dixie of Casper, Wyoming Steve of Laramie, Wyoming Brian and Kris of Medicine Lake, Montana Daughter: Mari Lyn and John Poppert of Exeter, Nebraska 2 granddaughters, Brooke and Olivia Poppert of Exeter, NE; 2 step-granddaughters, Lauren and Robyn Daily of Colorado; 2 step-grandsons, Justin and Jesse Davis of Idaho Four sisters: Mary and Raymond Bockerman, Arapahoe, NE Dorothy and Harry Wilson, Inland, NE Elsie Mae Frogge, Grand Island, NE Phylis and Stanley Alexander, Grand Island, NE Seven brothers: Carl and Audre DeVries, Beaver City, NE Bud and Gwen DeVries, Arapahoe, NE Glen and Jo DeVries, Trumbull, NE Jack DeVries, Arapahoe, NE Leonard and Wyoma DeVries, Inland, NE Harold and Kathy DeVries, Lincoln, NE Charles DeVries, Arapahoe, NE many nieces and nephews. Condolences or personal reflections can be left at wenburgfuneralhome.com There will be no viewing or visitation. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 22, 2010, at the First United Methodist Church at Arapahoe, NE, at 10:30 AM with Rev. Michael Flury, officiating. The casket will be closed. Interment will be at the Arapahoe Cemetery, Arapahoe, Nebraska. Memorials may be given to the Wayne & Marilyn’s ministry or donor’s choice. Wenburg Funeral Home of Arapahoe, Nebraska is in charge of the arrangements.