Joseph Briggs DeVennish

Joseph Briggs DeVennish, 94, of Upper Arlington, Ohio and Naples, Florida died Saturday evening, February 25, 2012. He was born in Briggsdale, Ohio and was the senior surviving descendant of pioneers Joseph M. Briggs and Lousiana Ransburgh Briggs. He attended Briggsdale School and was in the first graduating class at The Ohio State University High School. He was a member of Phi Kappa Psi and Phi Delta Phi fraternities and received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1939 and Juris Doctor in 1946 at Ohio State. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Regular Army Field Artillery in December 1940. He later became a pilot in the Army Air Corps, participating in the Normandy invasion and flying 35 missions in the B 26 Martin Marauder over Europe. After resigning his commission as a lieutenant colonel in 1945, he returned to Columbus to complete his education and enter the practice of law. He specialized in family law and served as legal counsel for Certified Oil Company. He was an avid golfer who spent eight months a year in Naples, Florida. He was a 33rd Degree Mason. He is survived by his wife of nearly 65 years, Mary MacFarland Saxe (Polly), two daughters, Mary Julia DeVennish and Suzanne DeVennish Burke (Rob), two granddaughters, Julia MacFarland Burke and Emily McNair Burke, and six nieces and nephews. His son, Joseph Briggs DeVennish, Jr. died in 1969. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, Friday, March 2, 2012 at Schoedinger Northwest Chapel 1740 Zollinger Rd. in Upper Arlington. A funeral service will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church, 125 E. Broad St, Columbus at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 3, 2012. Rev. Richard A. Burnett officiating. Interment at Greenlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Joseph B. DeVennish, Jr. Memorial Fund at Columbus Academy, 4300 Cherry Bottom Rd., Gahanna, OH 43230. Please visit www.schoedinger.com to share a favorite memory of Joe.