Friday, January 31, 2014

We learned on Wednesday of the passing of an old family friend, Mr. Howard Devine.  Howard was a very pleasant and cheerful man.  He spent many years as the John Deere dealer in Washington, Indiana.  Our paths crossed in many ways over the  years– through his farm equipment business and through church activities.  He and his wife Helen lived in Bicknell and served in the Christian Church.  Howard was an elder there, and I can just see him leading and serving with his gentle and kind manner.  There were many occasions when we would see each other at the old SW Indiana “Kingdom Builders” men’s meetings.  My friend John McClure says Howard was his Sunday School teacher when John was in junior high school.   Howard was 88.

We keep here in our files a copy of the sales papers for every machine we have purchased, at least as far back as 1967.  We bought John Deeres from Howard in the 70s and 80s. I have copies of papers for tractors, combines, and other implements with Howard’s writing and signature.   His passing this week brings back many memories, all happy ones.

Knox County’s loss is Heaven’s gain…

Here’s a picture of Howard from a few years ago. You see two of his life’s loves… his church and John Deere green.