John Robert Davern's Obituary
John R. Davern died on Tuesday, September 28, 2010, in the Imboden Creek Nursing Home. John was born in Decatur, the son of Bernard and Mary White Davern on September 5, 1928. He graduated in the Class of 1946 from Decatur High School.
John and Jo Ann Bredar were married on October 25, 1952. She survives along with his sons, Daniel Connie of Porter, IN; Patrick Yolanda of Valrico, FL; and daughter, Gayle Yeakley Kenneth of Hammond, IL; three grandsons; Anthony Davern, Ryan Yeakley, and Marcos Davern; his sisters, Frances Seman of Decatur; Alice Coble of San Bernardino, CA; and brother, William Bill Davern of Tucson, AZ.
John was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Bernard Davern, and sister, Elizabeth Boyd Johannes.
John had an admirable work ethic, starting delivering the Herald & Review in his neighborhood at an early age. He always managed to find a part-time job after school in his years in High School. At the age of 18 he was employed by the Wabash Railroad as an Apprentice Carman. John retired from the Norfolk Southern Railroad after 40 years, as General Forman of the Decatur Car Shops.
He was an Army combat veteran of the Korean War. He served on the Board of Directors of the Wabash Credit Union and the Wabash Memorial Hospital Assn., and a former member of the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion.
John greatly enjoyed his home, many family get togethers and playing golf with his sons and his golf Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½BuddiesÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½.
Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 9:30AM on Saturday, October 2, 2010 at Holy Family Church with Rev. Joseph Molloy, celebrant. Visitation will be held at Moran & Goebel Funeral Home with a prayer service at 4:30 PM and visitation from 5 to 7 PM on Friday, October 1. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Catholic Charities, Holy Family Church or school.
Special appreciation is expressed to Imboden Creek Nursing Home and the very caring nurses who attended John.
The family of John R. Davern is being served by Moran & Goebel Funeral Home and Cremation Center honored provider of Veterans Funeral Care, 2801 N. Monroe Street, Decatur, IL.
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