Bennie Edward DeVerger

Bennie Edward DeVerger, 80, Maywood, Mo., passed away at 3:08 p.m., Wednesday, June 16, 2021, at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, Ill.

Bennie was born Dec. 23, 1940, in Hannibal, Mo., to Benjamin Clarence DeVerger and Dorothy Anna (Yarbrough) DeVerger. He was married to Virginia Eichor on Sept. 2, 1961, at Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church. She survives.

Also surviving are his beloved brother and sister-in-law, Matt and Linda Eichor; two children, Reggie Westhoff (Fred) and LaDonna Burchett (Shawn); eight grandchildren: Geoff Westhoff (Katherine), Greg Westhoff, Ben Westhoff (Margarita), Autumn Westhoff, ReAnn Wright (Josh), Alex Frieden (Kristy), Virginia Murphy (Blaine Covert), and Mason Burchett; and 18 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his grandparents; his niece, Tonya Eichor; and several special aunts and uncles.

Professionally, Bennie started working at the Paper Mill in Quincy when he was 16 years old. Later, he worked at Gardner Denver Incorporated assembling pumps for 39 years. Bennie retired from Gardner Denver in 2001.

In his younger years, Bennie loved riding motorcycles and had the need for speed his entire life. Sharing jokes with the folks at the 18-Wheeler Restaurant, fishing for trout and crappie, or transporting puppies across the country with Virginia were all things that made Bennie smile over the years. 

Bennie was a people person and never met a person he wouldn’t have a conversation with. He always took pride in his appearance and loved to dress nice and smell good. Bennie could be described as a character and simply had a good time no matter what he was doing. Above all else, Bennie cherished the time he could spend with his loved ones.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 23, at Emerson Baptist Church in Emerson, Mo. Pastor Jeff Voepel will officiate. Burial will be at Emerson Cemetery in Emerson.

Pallbearers will be Joshua Wright, Geoff Westhoff, Greg Westhoff, Alex Frieden, Ben Westhoff, Blaine Covert, Autumn Westhoff and Mason Burchett.

Honorary pallbearers will be ReAnn Frieden, Virginia Murphy, Jim Yarbrough, Gordon Smyser, Irvin Wilson, Jim Spratt, Richard Morrison, Rodney Stumb and Bob Mosby.

Friends and family are invited to Bennie’s life celebration at a visitation that will be from 9 a.m. until the time of service on Wednesday, June 23, at the church.

Memorials can be made to Emerson Baptist Church or Emerson Cemetery.

Online condolences may be shared and video tribute may be viewed at www.lewisbrothersfuneralchapel.com.