Bobby L. Devall (92) of Effingham

Bobby L. Devall, 92, of Effingham, IL, passed away on Sunday, September 19, 2021 at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 24, 2021 at Centenary United Methodist Church in Effingham. Burial will be in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Effingham with military rites. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Friday prior to the service at the church. Arrangements are in the care of Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham. Please wear a mask for all services and practice social distancing guidelines.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Research Center or Centenary United Methodist Church Memorial Committee. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here.

Bobby was born on June 8, 1929, in Effingham, IL, the son of Virgil and Gladys (Bricker) Devall. He married Peggy Richeson on September 2, 1951 at United Methodist Church in Effingham.    

He was a native of Effingham, and a graduate of Effingham High School. He was a Korean War Veteran, having served as a sergeant in the U. S. Army. Prior to U.S. Army he was a member of the Illinois National Guard and was on duty at the St. Anthony Hospital fire. Bobby retired in 1989 from Central Illinois Public Service (CIPS) as right-a-way agent in Marion, Illinois after 41 years of service. He and Peggy then moved back to their hometown of Effingham.

He was a member and past state president and national director of the International Right-of-Way Association. His memberships included the Illinois Registered Land Surveyors Association, the American Legion of Effingham and Centenary United Methodist Church of Effingham where he served on many boards and committees. Bobby was an avid Chicago Cub fan with a passion for fishing. His greatest achievements in life were to see the Cubs win the World Series and to pass on his passion for fishing to his sons and grandsons. He never met a stranger; if he didn’t know you, he knew someone you were related to.

Bobby is survived by his wife, Peggy Devall of Effingham; sons, Richard (Sandy) Devall of Watson and Bruce (Denise) Devall of Effingham; daughter-in-law, Patti Devall of Effingham; grandchildren, Nicholas (Dana) of Effingham, Adam (Chelsea) of Neoga, Jacob (Emily) and Tyler (Katey Stuckemeyer) of Effingham, Rob (Nicole) of St. Charles, MO and Christopher (Ashley) of Fenton, MO; great-grandchildren, Tristan, Camille, Chandler, Anderson, Carter, and Oliver; brother, Joseph (Jeanette) Devall of Bristol, VT, sister-in-law Debby (Paul) Bloemer of Effingham; nephews, Scott Konrad of Brooklyn, NY, Kurt Konrad of Shumway, Joshua Devall of Cardiff, CA, and Corey McDaniel of Effingham; and niece, Cynthia Springett of Dover, MA.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Kent Devall; sister, Helen Konrad; and nephew, Michael Konrad.