"During the first half of the 1960s I regularly hauled grain to the elevator with a Dodge pickup pulling a Grainovator. Al often bailed me out by backing the trailer under the augur, taking 1/5 the time I would have. I was happy to see Al again after decades at the Chapin Reunion in Sep 2016. Good memories. My condolences to his family. Daryl Burbank-Schmitt"
In loving memory of
Alvin Kenneth DeVries
January 4, 1935 - May 5, 2018
Alvin Kenneth DeVries, 83, of Sheffield, Iowa, passed away Saturday, May 5, 2018, at Mercy Medical Center North Iowa in Mason City. He was born on January 4, 1935, in Franklin County, to Peter and Anna (Schroeder) DeVries.
Al graduated from Chapin Consolidated School in 1952. He served his country in the United States Army from 1957 to 1959. Al was united in marriage to Esther Smit on August 12, 1960, at Zion Reformed Church in rural Sheffield. Al worked for Chapin Farmers Co-op for 43 years. After he retired he delivered parts for NAPA and Auto Parts Wholesale.
Al was a member of Zion Reformed Church in rural Sheffield, where he once served on the consistory. He was a member of the Hampton American Legion, the Sheffield Lions Club, a trustee for Richland Township and a board member of Franklin General Hospital.
Al enjoyed fishing trips to Lake Napoleon, attending car and airplane shows, and fixing up old pedal tractors. He enjoyed family gatherings and picnics at Comstock. Al loved his grandchildren dearly.
Al is survived by his wife Esther DeVries of Sheffield, son Mike (Sarah) DeVries of Fargo, North Dakota, and their children Meghan (Matt) Stinar and Luke DeVries, daughter Trudi (Scott) Hytone of Waukee, and their son Max Hytone, brother Wilbert DeVries of Sheffield, sisters-in-law Mildred Wenzel of Belmond and Sue Smit of Hampton, along with many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Peter and Anna, sister Carolyn Meinders, sisters-in-law Janice DeVries and Gertrude Stadtlander, and brothers-in-law, Louie Stadtlander, Dennis Smit, Willard Smit, George Wenzel and Kenneth Meinders.