William J. Joe Devlin
SPRINGFIELD – William J. Joe Devlin, 83, of Springfield died at 2:20 p.m. Monday, Sept. 17, 2007, at St. John’s Hospice.
He was born Feb. 1, 1924, in Virginia, the son of William James and Mattie Maupin Devlin. He married Frances Bregowy on June 29, 1946; she preceded him in death on Feb. 14, 1980. He also was preceded in death by his parents.
Mr. Devlin, a resident of Springfield most of his life, retired from Pillsbury Mills. He was a member of Christ the King Church.
Surviving are a daughter, JoAnne Ashcraft of Springfield; two grandchildren, Jackie Ashcraft of St. Louis and Jessica Ashcraft of Springfield; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2007, at Staab Funeral Home. Visitation will begin with prayers at 5 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, 2007, at Christ the King Church with Monsignor David Lantz officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 651 W. Washington, Suite 400, Chicago, IL 60661, or for
Jessica posted on 7/11/11
Grandpa (My Buddy), You were, and still are, the light of my life. You always told me that Mom, Jackie, and I brought so much happiness and joy into your life, but I think that it speaks volumes about a the man that you were when everything that I do in life reminds me of a memory of us. I find you in so many places every single day. Knowing that you are still with me gives me so much peace. I found my calling to be a nurse because of you. I knew that I was doing the right thing for a certain reason. On my very first day as a Student Nurse Tech at Barnes Jewish Hospital, I looked at my boss and I said, "What can I do first?" He turned me around, and pointed me towards the door of my very first patient's room. I found myself awestruck when I looked at the patient's name of the door. DEVLIN, it said. Today is the 6 month marker since I began working this job. It's 3a.m. on my night shift and I just admitted a patient to my unit who's features, gestures, and appearance are identical to yours. I can't stay in his room for long because simply being around him sends me into tears. Grandpa, I miss you so so dearly. I hold you in my heart every single day. I love you with my whole heart, and every day that is a tough day and I wonder if I am doing the right thing, I think of two things that you used to tell me: "Grab the bull by the horns" and "You're doin' ok, kid!" Thank you for being the best grandfather, father figure, and best friend that I could have ever had! I love you, My Buddy!