Calvin Samuel Devitt

He attended a one-room rural school, Ball School, for the first six grades, then attended Peck Schools. He then attended Sandusky High School, graduating in 1951. He graduated from Central Michigan University at Mount Pleasant in 1955 with a Bachelor of Science Degree and a teaching certificate. While at Central, he was a member of the Kappa Delta Pi, honorary education fraternity, and Sigma Tau Delta, honorary English fraternity. He was employed at the Art Department and Keeler Student Union.

After college graduation, Cal was inducted into the United States Army, serving with pride in the Counter Intelligence Corps.

He entered into the teaching profession after his discharge from the Army, first at the Vassar Schools, then at the Saginaw Schools. In 1961, Cal received his Master of Arts Degree from the University of Michigan, and that autumn started teaching for the DODDS - the Department of Defense Dependents Schools - and taught in the US Air Force School in Tachikawa, Japan.

In August 1962, he and Lenna Vay Smith, originally from Moorestown in Missaukee County, at the time teaching in Saginaw - were married at the Jefferson Avenue United Methodist Church in Saginaw, MI.

During the 1962-63 school year, Cal taught in the Air Force school at the Karamursel Air Station in Turkey and Lenna Vay taught for the US navy in nearby Degirmendere, Turkey. At the end of that school year, they transferred to the Air Force Schools in Wiesbaden, Germany, where they taught from 1963-65. After their daughter, Amy, was born in 1965, they returned to the US where Cal taught for the Bloomfield Hills, MI, schools until his retirement in 1988.

After his retirement, Cal was a delivery man for Holland's Floral in Rochester where he worked for many years.

A long-time member of the Paint Creek United Methodist Church in Goodison, Cal served in a number of capacities and was treasurer of the church from 1991 until 2016.

Ever an advocate of farming, environmental, and wildlife causes, Cal was a member of several societies and federations. He loved gardening, walking, bird feeding, and family get-togethers. He also loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

He was a member of Custer Chapter #393 F&AM in Sandusky, MI. He also was a member of the Michigan Education Association Retired, National Education Association Retired, and the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel.

He was a long-time genealogist and compiled several books on the branches of his family: Devitt, Forbes, Johnson, Hale, and Apsey. He belonged to the Sanilac Co. Genealogical Society and other genealogy groups.

His loving wife of 49 1/2 years, Lenna Vay, predeceased him in 2012. His son Steven J. Devitt predeceased him in 2015. Survived by his daughters Amy C. Devitt of Muskegon, and Laura M. (Anthony) Moggio of Rochester and sister Verna M. (Roger) Meyers of Carsonville, MI. Granddaughter Amanda (Josh) Smith of Muskegon, grandchildren William and Violet Moggio, and great granddaughter Allie Buchner, and great grandson Bennett Boroff. Also preceded in death by sister Veva, brother Don and Don's wife Marie, and brother Stan and his wife Beryl. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, grand, great-grand, and great-great-grand nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be at the Paint Creek United Methodist Church, Rochester, located at 4420 Collins Road in Rochester. Visitation will be at the church from 10am until the time service at 12:00 pm. Lunch and fellowship will follow after the service.

Calvin Samuel Devitt will be laid to rest at Zion Cemetery in Sandusky, Michigan on January 23, 2026. The time will be announced in the near future.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Paint Creek United Methodist Church, 4420 Collins Road, Rochester, MI, 48306.