Lloyd V. Devries

Lloyd V. DeVries, 102, of Shannon, Illinois completed his long earthly journey, Tuesday June 6, 2023 at FHN in Freeport, IL. He was born September 23, 1920, near Harper, IL to Lewis and Carrie (DeWall) DeVries. He attended country school and Shannon High School. On December 18, 1945, he married Gladys Swalve at Forreston Grove Presbyterian Church. In March of 1946, they moved to the home farm near Shannon where he lived the remainder of his life, and earned a living as a dairy, hog, and crop farmer. Until her passing, they celebrated 65 years together. They improved and expanded the farming operation as they witnessed remarkable inventions and innovations. He enjoyed working with his family and neighbors, first threshing and later baling, and chopping silage, picking ear corn and later combining shelled corn. He finally retired from harvesting in 2020, doubting he could climb the ladder to get into the cab. He returned in 2021, to harvest his neighbor's corn, planted with a 6-row planter with his 6-row corn head, resulting in a satisfying 258 bushels per acre. He did continue to mow lawn, and renewed his license each ear so he could continue to drive to church each week and patrol the neighborhood to determine a crop status. He was a member of Forreston Grove Presbyterian Church where he was ordained a ruling elder in 1956, a member of Carroll County Farm Bureau, serving on the FS board, as well as a member of Holstein Association. He is survived by: daughter, Lois Graff of Casper, WY, son, Larry DeVries of Shannon, four grandchildren: Mark (Cheryl) Graff, and Greg (Heidi) Graff of Casper, WY, Jill Graff of Douglas, WY, Eric (Josie Heath) Graff of Boise, ID, and great grandson Jason. Sister-in-law: Betty Swalve of Mt. Morris, Nieces: Carol Browning of Sherrard, IL, Joyce DeVries of Forreston, and Ann Horner Weafer of Olathe, KS, and nephews: Robert (Anita) DeVries of Forreston, and Mark (Michele) Horner of Shannon. Preceding him in death were: his parents, his wife, Gladys (2011), brother Raymond DeVries at 2 years of age in 1917, brother Leo DeVries (2009), sister-in-law Florence DeVries of Forreston (1991), brother-in-law Ivan Swalve (1999), brother-in-law Reynold Horner (2000) sister-in-law Doris Horner (2020) of Shannon, and son-in-law Paul Graff (2023) of Casper, WY. Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 17, 2023, at Forreston Grove Presbyterian Church at 11:00, with visitation at the church from 9 to 11. Burial will be in Forreston Grove Church Cemetery. A memorial is being established.