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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Rev. Dr. W. Gehl Devore of Zion, who
4passed away on February 5, 2019; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Dr. Devore was born in Altamont to William Durell
6and Pearl Devore on December 4, 1916; he graduated from high
7school at the age of 15; he then spent eight years as a
8linotype operator; after being called to the ministry, he
9enrolled in McKendree College, now McKendree University; while
10he was a student, he was appointed by the District
11Superintendent to serve a four-point circuit, preaching at
12Sunday morning and evening services at four different churches
13every other week; after graduating from McKendree with honors,
14he enrolled at Garrett Theological Seminary; when he was 23, he
15married Doris Mery; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Dr. Devore's first appointment was at a church in
17Westmont, where he served as pastor from 1944 until 1956; he
18then moved to Rockford and served as Senior Pastor of Grace
19Methodist Church from 1956 until 1961; from Rockford, he moved
20to Barrington and served the Barrington Methodist Church; in
211963, he moved to Waukegan and became the Senior Pastor of
22First United Methodist Church, where he remained until his
23retirement in 1980; after his retirement, he was honored with

 

 

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1the title of Pastor Emeritus and also worked part-time for Otar
2Printers in Waukegan; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Dr. Devore was active in many community and
4philanthropic organizations; for over 20 years, he served as
5Chaplain for the Waukegan City Council; he also served as Dean
6of a Methodist high school youth camp at Conference Point Camp
7in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin; known as a great storyteller, he
8spent much time, both as a pastor and in retirement, visiting
9local hospitals, nursing homes, and shut-ins; he was a lifetime
10and avid fan of the New York Yankees; he enjoyed playing golf,
11baking pies, playing softball in church leagues, and exercising
12and swimming at the YMCA in Waukegan; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Dr. Devore was preceded in death by his parents
14and his brothers, Raymond and Linder; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Dr. Devore is survived by his wife of 78 years,
16Doris; his children, Bill (Jan) and Jan; and his grandchildren,
17Christopher Devore and Angela Devore; therefore, be it
 
18    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
19ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
20Rev. Dr. W. Gehl Devore and extend our sincere condolences to
21his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
22further
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
2presented to the family of Dr. Devore as an expression of our
3deepest sympathy.