Russell DeVillier

Russell DeVillier, 83, of St. Marys, KS, died early Tuesday morning, December 12, 2006 at the KCH hospice house in Kansas City, MO.
     He was born October 28, 1923, at Breaux Bridge, LA, the son of John and Alcidie Dupuis Devillier. He grew up there, attended a rural school and graduated from Cecelia High School in Simnes Port, LA in 1940. He attended Southwestern University at Layfette, LA for two years and played basketball there. During World War II from 1942 to 1945, he served in the US Army.
      On September 4, 1946 he married Angela Haverkamp at St. Mary’s Church at St. Benedict. The celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.
     Russell attended Kansas State Teacher’s College at Emporia where he earned a BS in 1948 and a master’s degree in 1961. His first teaching position was in Codell, KS and he then taught in Louisiana at his alma mater, Cecelia High, where he coached a class B state championship track team. In 1953 he returned to Seneca to teach at St. Benedict and Kelly schools. He also taught at several other area schools. He was a superintendent at Burr Oak and Powhattan, KS. In 1989 he retired from the Wetmore school system where he was a coach and a teacher. His former students can be found in every corner of the world. He was an educator for 40 years and a great believer in the importance of education.
     He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church at St. Mary’s and the Lions Club at Emmett, KS. He also belonged to the KNEA, and was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society.
     Survivors besides his wife Angela of the home are: three sons, James R. DeVillier of Roxboro. NC, Steve DeVillier of Lawrence, and Gene DeVillier of Wellsville; a daughter, Lorraine Poell of Lenexa; and grandchildren David Poell, Lauren Poell, Philip DeVillier, Paul DeVillier, Stephanie DeVillier, Charles DeVillier, and Catherine DeVillier.
     He was preceded in death by a daughter, Jane DeVillier, on March 29, 1966; two brothers, Stoney and Chep DeVillier; and two sisters; Tenny Fincher and Delta Watkin.
     Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 AM Saturday at St. Mary’s Church, St. Benedict, KS. Burial will be with military honors in the church cemetery. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 and 7 pm Friday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.
     Memorial contributions may be given for the University of Kansas Pharmacy Department, Holy Cross Catholic School, or the Shawnee Medical Center Foundation Spiritual Wellness Department, and sent in care of the family.