John Wilbur Devine

John Wilbur Devine was born on December 2, 1929 in Brooklyn, New York to Authur and Rose Devine. He passed away on October 27, 2018 in Turlock, California. John worked for the United States Postal Service in Merced for 39 years. He was a Korean War veteran and during the war he was stationed in an Alaskan outpost to monitor communications for the US Airforce. John was a member of the American Legion and the American Postal Workers Union.

John married his childhood friend Janet Doyer on July 31, 1955 at Saint Sylvester’s Church in Brooklyn, New York. For their honeymoon they drove to California where they would start their lives together. It would take John 3 years after work and on weekends to build his dream home alongside Alex Manochio, a master stone mason. John would live in this home with his wife Janet until his death.

John is preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Rose Devine; his sister Carolyn Smith (Albert); his niece Patricia Peterson; sister in law Shirley Devine and his brother in law, Harvey Doyer.

He is survived by his loving wife Janet Devine of Merced; his children, Melissa Devine of Santa Monica, Ca., Andrew Devine of Merced, Ca and Cecilia Kinney (Tony) of Merced, Ca.; his brother Arthur Devine of Merced, Ca; His nieces and nephews, Sandra Wickum, David Smith, Michael Smith (Janet), Danny Devine (Kimberlynn), Michelle White (Richard); his extended family, Ana Bella Flores and Frances Garcia; his many good friends, including his friends at Satellite Dialysis.

Dad, thank you for looking after mom and for being a great provider for your family. We will miss everything about you, we love you dearly and will cherish the memories of you always.

There will be a graveside service held for John on Friday, November 2, 2018 at 9:30 am at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in Santa Nella, Ca.