John Thomas DeVal, 81, a 43 year resident of Chartwell, in Severna Park, died on, Thursday, April 2, 2009, of complications from Alzheimer's disease at the Tate Hospice House after a long illness.

John DeVal was born on April 4, 1927 in Turtle Creek, Pa, the son of Mary and Isadore DeVal both immigrants to this country from Italy and Rumania. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard from May 1945 to June 1946 as a Seaman Second Class. Following this service he was admitted to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Prep School and later the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London Connecticut where he pursued a Bachelors Degree in Marine Engineering until February 1949. After military service he transferred to Carnegie Institute of Technology where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1951. He later earned a Masters Degree at Case Institute of Technology in Cleveland, Ohio in 1966, and resided in Mentor Ohio for 15 years working for Lincoln Electric while building a house and raising a family.

In 1966 he moved his family to the Baltimore area and resided in Severna Park. He worked for various companies in the Baltimore area in the Electrical Products and Steel Industry rising to the position of Vice President working from 1966 to 1985. During this time he became an avid golfer at Chartwell Country Club, and enjoyed waterfowl hunting on the eastern shore. He was a member of Anne Arundel Fish and Game, participating in shooting events for both trap and skeet. His other hobbies included woodworking, gardening and fishing.

Survivors include his wife, of 57 years, Rosemarie DeVal (nee McCusker), a daughter Maureen Elizabeth McGann of LaVale, MD, a son Brian James DeVal of Arnold, four grandchildren; Kevin McGann, Kelly McGann, Erica DeVal and Heather DeVal, and his siblings, Caroline Shaffer of Williamsburg, Va and Philip DeVal of Trafford, Pa. He was preceded in death by a brother, Eugene DeVal.

Friends may visit on Sunday, April 5th, from 5-7 pm at Barranco & Sons, P.A. Severna Park Funeral Home, 495 Gov. Ritchie Hwy in Severna Park, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, April 6th, at 10:00 AM at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, 689 Ritchie Hwy, Severna Park, MD 21146. Interment will be in Our Lady of the Fields Cemetery in Millersville, MD.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made at Alzheimer's Association, 1850 York Road, Suite D, Timonium, MD 21093 or the Hospice of the Chesapeake, 445 Defense Highway, Annapolis, MD 21401.

Online condolences may be made at www.barrancofuneralhome.com