Obituary of DeVere S. Lathers

DeVere S. Lathers, 75, of State Highway 161, Glen, died Wednesday afternoon at St. Mary?s Hospital in Amsterdam with his loving family at his side. Born January 7, 1930, in Johnstown, New York, he was the son of the late DeVere H. and Oramay Sweet Lathers. He attended a little school, in Glen, and later graduated from Fultonville High School in 1947, and was also a graduate of Amsterdam Business College in 1948. DeVere was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War, serving as a radio operator and was stationed in Japan. He was the third generation that owned and operated DeVere H. Lathers and Son Grocery Store in Glen for most of his life, even going back to the days of having Texaco Gas and the local Post Office within the store. He retired in 1990. He delivered meals for the organization ?Meals for the Elderly? until July 11, 2005. He was a member of the Glen Reformed Church and served as deacon and elder, and was baptized there. He was a member, past Fire Chief and past president of the Glen Volunteer Fire Department. DeVere enjoyed spending time with his family. He was very knowledgeable about antique cars, and enjoyed driving his friends? cars to antique car shows. He collected Danbury Classic Cars, and loved to watch NASCAR races. On July 9th, 1955, DeVere married the former Martha Buckley. Besides his dear wife of 50 years, he is survived by his loving family: a son, James Lathers and his wife, Claudia of Johnstown; two daughters, Virginia Baker and husband David of Perth, and Linda Wszolek and her husband Robert of Glen; a sister, Audrey Hammond and her husband Gary of Westminister, SC; five grandchildren, Jonathan Baker, Ashlee Palandro and her husband Shawn, Jarrod Baker, Merilee Lathers and Mitchell Wszolek; several nephews also survive. DeVere was pre-deceased by a sister, Virginia Mae Lathers. Funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon August 20, 2005 at 1:00 PM at the Glen Reformed Church, Main Street, Glen, NY with the Rev. Stacey Midge and the Rev. Benjamin LeFevre officiating. Burial will take place in Maple Avenue Cemetery in Fultonville. The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday from 4 to 7 PM at the Jackson & Betz Funeral Home, 15 Main Street, Fultonville. Memorial contributions may be made in DeVere?s memory to the Glen Reformed Church, 1526 State Highway 161, Fultonville, NY 12072 or to the Glen Volunteer Fire Department, 134 Auriesville Rd., Fultonville, NY 12072.