Eugene H. DeVries

Eugene H. DeVries, age 73, passed peacefully into his heavenly home on Monday, September 1, 2025, after a 10-year battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

He is survived by his loving wife, Thea, and his children, Christopher (Hilary) DeVries, Dr. Timothy (Beth) DeVries, and Stacy (Ben) Crampton; grandchildren, Adam and Nora DeVries, James, Erica, Jenny, and Sarah DeVries, and David and Evalyn Holwerda; his brother Rev. Albert DeVries; and numerous nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by a stillborn son; parents, Henry and Hermina DeVries; his brother, John DeVries, and sisters-in-law, Linda and Sharon DeVries.

Eugene was born June 14, 1952, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, graduated from South Christian High School, and went on to earn a degree in Electronics from DeVry Institute of Technology.  After college, he began working in the Chicago area.  At the time, his brother John was teaching at Illiana Christian High School and introduced him to a fellow teacher—Thea—who soon became the love of his life.

After marriage, Eugene and Thea settled in Highland, IN, where they raised their three children.  He worked for the same telecommunications company for 42 years, commuting an hour each way to provide for his family.  He was a man of quiet yet steadfast faith and was a member of New Life Christian Reformed Church in Highland.

Eugene had a love for woodworking, photography, roller coasters, and tinkering. He launched rockets with his kids, took overnight camping trips with his sons at Kingsbury Fish and Wildlife Area, and later found great joy in spending time with his grandchildren.  As the family outgrew their small home, he built two additions onto their house giving them more space in the living room and kitchen, then several years later an additional bedroom and bathroom.  He completed these projects on evenings and weekends, all while working full time.

He also loved traveling with his family and later, with Thea. Together they hiked many miles through national parks.  Several trips stood out from the others, being able to travel back to the Netherlands to find his father’s childhood home, a photo safari trip to Africa, and several treks to Brooks Falls in Alaska where he was able to photograph the bears fishing for salmon. 

Funeral Arrangements for September 6, 2025:

Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, followed by a Celebration of Life service at 11:00 AM. A luncheon will be served afterwards in the church basement.

All events will take place at:
New Life Christian Reformed Church
3010 Ridge Road
Highland, IN 46322

Any Memorial Contributions may be given to Illiana Christian High School. 

For additional information, please contact Hillside Funeral Home & Cremation Center Konnie Kuiper - Michael Kuiper-Vass by calling us at 219-838-0800 or visiting us at www.hillsidefhcares.com

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