Russell Devenney

Russell Frederick DeVenney Russell Frederick DeVenney (DeVinney), son of Francis Patrick Devinney, son of Anthony Patrick Devinney, son of Cornelius Deviney. Russell Frederick DeVenney of Columbia, Missouri, peacefully passed away on Saturday, February 7, 2009. He was 89 years old. Russell was born on December 6, 1919, at Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to Francis Patrick DeVenney (DeVinney) and Nettie Shearer DeVinney. Russell was raised in the Sharon, Pennsylvania area until his sophomore year of high school, when he went to live with his aunt and uncle in Pratt, Kansas to help in their restaurant business. After graduation, Russell married his classmate, Mildred Lolita Moore, on December 1, 1940. During the 1940's and 1950's Russell successfully pursued two careers: one as a mechanical engineer and the second as a drummer. Russell served as chief engineer at the Outboard Marine Corporation in Waukegan, Illinois and did much of the design work for the company's first 4-cylinder outboard engine and its first fiberglass inboard/outboard drive boat. A professional musician by the age of 12, Russell continued working as a drummer until 1961. Both he and his wife associated with many famous entertainers during the big band era. Russell had a Life Membership in the Waukegan Federation of Musicians Local 84 A. F. of M., Waukegan, Illinois. In the summer of 1961, Russell and his family purchased the Sun N Fun Resort in Osage Beach at the Lake of the Ozarks, which he operated until his retirement in the mid 1980's. After retiring, Russell enjoyed traveling to Biloxi, Mississippi in his motor home during the winters and would spend his summers either at the Lake of the Ozarks or in Columbia, Missouri. Russell lived in the Sunrise Beach area until the fall of 2004 until health issues required him to move to Columbia. Russell was preceded in death by his wife, grandsons Brian Eugene DeVenney and Russell F. DeVenney, III, granddaughter DeeAnn Lynn (McHoes) Cass and a brother Francis E. "Bud" DeVenney. Russell and Mildred they leave behind a large family. Daughter Rosalind Ann (DeVenney) and her husband George McDaniel of Colorado Springs, Colorado, their daughter Sarah Jean (McDaniel) Kendall, her husband Hale and their daughter Cloe. Rosalind's daughter DeeAnn Lynn (McHoes) Cass has two sons Jamie and Justin Cass. Son Russell Frederick, Jr. and his wife Laura H. (Hunter) DeVenney of Columbia, Missouri, their children Eric Wayne, his wife Virginia and their children Anna Ruth, Jackson Corbin Russell, Nathanael Eric, Christopher Cortland Emmett and Lucas Oliver Kincaid; Steven Donald and his daughter Laura Kathryn Grace; Jeanine Renee, her husband Michael Minsky and sons Russell Michael, Ryan Michael and Riley Michael and Christina Brianne, her husband Jefferey C. Collett and their son Jefferey Charles, Jr. Daughter Debra Mae (DeVenney) and husband Larry Hummell of Desoto, Missouri, their children Kenneth Paul Capps, wife Abby; Nicole (Capps) Mayer, husband John Brake; Todd Satre, wife Nancy; Lisa Kruse, husband Mike. Kenny's children are Ryan, Cody, Cassie, Joseph, and Nathan Capps. Nicole's children are Courtney Mayer and Raven Brake. Lisa's son is Gavin Bennett. Son Darrell Donald and wife Vicki of Clever, Missouri, their children Cory Matthew; Brandy Lynn, her husband Stephen Boak and their children Jessica Lyn and Hannah Elizabeth; Lisa Marie, her husband John Thomasson and daughter Abigail Elizabeth; Stacey Ann, her husband Ryan Silverwood and their children Mason Michael, Ryley Ann and Jodie Marie and Erin Michelle and her husband Tommy Burns. Sister Patricia Beatty of Rantoul, Illinois. Russell will be interred beside his wife in the Dale Blair Memorial Cemetery at 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 10, 2009 under the direction of Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home. No visitation will be held. Instead of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to a charity of the donor's choosing. Arrangements are under the direction of Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Camdenton.