Devon Richard Fingerle

Devon R. Fingerle, age 91, of Sarasota, FL passed away on the morning of November 11 after suffering a stroke. He was born March 28, 1934, in North Manchester (Wabash Co.), IN to the late Paul Raymond and Zelma Grace (Blocher) Fingerle. Devon is survived by four of his five sons, Michael D. Fingerle, Steven A. Fingerle, Mark R. Fingerle, and Dana C. Fingerle. He also leaves behind 11 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his dear wife of 65 years Sylvia M. (Yoder) Fingerle, son Gary W. Fingerle, brother Denver l. Fingerle, sister Delores A. Maloy, and brother Dallas W. Fingerle.

Devon grew up on a farm near North Manchester, Indiana in a family and community of German Baptist Brethren. Performing “hard work the right way” was a virtue deeply planted and cultivated in him from birth and was a value that served him through life. Performing skilled, physical work defined his early life. His specialty was the work he accomplished as a stone and brick mason where he mastered the art of constructing limestone-faced facades, and his specialty in creating fireplaces and chimney from the ground up. Upon moving to Florida in 1970, he continued to ply his trade as superintendent for a large masonry company used in the construction of many condominiums and buildings on the west coast of Florida and barrier islands.

Ever taking on new challenges, Devon earned a private pilot’s license, earned a GED to complete his high school education and went on to pass the Florida Commercial Contractors License Examination which he used working for a commercial roofing company and then for his own company. He worked many years as a salesman for grave plots and mausoleums, and for a short time as a business broker where he facilitated the sale of the well-known Yoder’s Restaurant to his brother and sister-in-law.

Devon worked hard to provide for and care for his family and wife Sylivia Yoder. From his first sighting of Sylvia while visiting her Amish farm in Nappanee, Indiana, he was love-struck, and proposed marriage to her on their first date the following night. They were married 5 months later on August 28, 1954, and remained married for 65 years. Together they raised a family of 5 boys and passed on the value of doing “hard work the right way” (a value their boys applied in play, sports, and mischief). He retired at the age of 81 to become the primary caregiver for his wife Syvia who later passed on July 29, 2020.

Devon’s greatest passion in life was for his Christian Faith in which he devoted much time, energy, and resources to reading, prayer, and devotional time with his Bible. The majority of their closest friendships developed during the time they shared within the church communities he and his family attended. He served as an elder in Northwood Chapel of Nappanee, Indiana and later in the Tabernacle Church (Formerly the Revival Tabernacle Church) of Sarasota. In more recent years he attended The Fellowship of Believers, Covenant Life Church, and most recently Faith Life Church of Lakewood Ranch.

A Celebration of Life for both Devon and his wife Sylvia (whom the family did not get to formally commemorate during the Pandemic) will be held at 11:00, Saturday December 6 at the Faith Life Church Chapel in Lakewood Ranch, FL.

Both Devon and Sylvia will be interred in a mausoleum crypt purchased years prior while Devon was a salesman at Palms Memorial at Fruitville Rd. and Honore Ave. in Sarasota.