Age 68, formerly of the Albion area, son of the late Harold J. and Lillian Peck Devies. Ron graduated from the Northwestern Senior High School in 1955 and later enlisted in the US Air Force in 1956. There he served as a communications and electronics specialist in Okinawa. Following his discharge from the military, he returned to the Albion area and worked many years for the FMC Corp. in Meadville as a machine operator in the tool room. After leaving the mill, he worked extensively in sales of Amish wood and fur products. He was instrumental in the land acquisition of the US Steel property for the PA Wildlife Conservancy. He also co-founded the Northwest Fur Exchange in Albion, and worked to write grants to establish handicap access at many of the local fishing tributaries and Edinboro University. Ron was an avid outdoorsman and a member of the Albion Sportsmen's Club.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, James Ray Knapp.

Survivors include two daughters, Christine R. Reinelt, and her husband, Martin, of Albion, Kellea J. Wilson and her husband, Keith, of Charlottesville, Va.; three sons, Ronald F. Devies of Erie, John A. Devies and his wife, Kathleen, of Erie, James H. Devies and his wife, Kristen, of Md.; six sisters, Roberta Fausnaught and her husband, Bruce, of Albion, Joyce Sherman and her husband, Brian, of Albion, Linda Altman and her husband, John, of Md.; Carol Davis and her husband, William, of Savannah, Ga., Janice Henretty and her husband, Jim, of Albion, Dawn Hall of Girard; five brothers, William Devies and his wife, Kathy, of Springboro, Pa., Charles Devies and his wife, Charlotte "Cookie," of Houston, Texas, William Knapp of Albion, Robert Knapp and his wife, Sue, of Fairview, Edward Knapp of Albion; ten grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.