Sydney Devere Parliament

Sydney Devere Parliament passed away peacefully at the age of 83 years on February 3, 2005 at the home of his daughter Kathy Sincerbeau with his family at his side. Devere was the youngest child of Elon and Phronia (Griffith) Parliament. He was the third generation to be born on the family farm that his grandparents homesteaded. Sydney Devere Parliament was born on February 27, 1921. He attended Campbell Corners school as a young child and graduated from West Branch High School. Devere served in WWII and while on leave met his future wife Milita Jankee. They were married two months later in Withee, Wisconsin on December 29, 1945. He was a farmer all of his life. Devere retired from A & P Grocers after 32 years of employment. During their married life Devere and Mitzi traveled extensively to Uraguay, Mexico City, Alaska, Germany, Brazil, Chile, Poland and Hawaii, as well as many other places within the United States. He was especially fond of writing letters to keep in touch with former exchange students. During his retirement, Devere volunteered at Surline Elementary School, Rose City schools and schools in Lake Worth Martin Counties in Florida, where he and Mitzi spent their winter months. His favorite pastimes were gardening, enjoying frequent family functions and especially dancing. Devere took pride in teaching family members how to polka and waltz. He liked to play the piano, banjo and harmonica. He enjoyed collecting humorous short stories and poems to share with others. Devere was a member of the Churchill United Methodist Church, the Farm Bureau of West Branch, the Good Sam's Camper Club, the Churchill XYZ and the Wildwood Whirlers. Devere is survived by his wife of 59 years Mitzi and their five children--Kathy (Scott) Sincerbeau of Palm City, FL, Carol (Joseph)Speranza of Rochester Hills, Douglas (Connie) of West Branch, Connie of Ortonville and Dwight (Julie) of Camp LeJuene, NC. Also surviving are 9 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Bertha Leola Fairchild and Dolores Copeman and a brother Douglas. Visitation at the Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch will begin on Wednesday February 9, 2005 from 1-9 P.M. The Funeral Service will be held at 1:30 P.M. on Thursday at the funeral home. Rev. Thomas Spencer will officate with burial following at Selkirk Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Churchill United Methodist Church or to Hospice of Helping Hands, West Branch.