Luken Edward "Luke" Dever, 96 , of Terre Haute passed away late Thursday evening, July 31, 2014 in his residence. He was the former President and C.E.O. of Dever Distributing. Luke was born June 8, 1918 in Terre Haute to Joshua Frank Dever and Flora Luken Dever. His first wife, Thelma Maxine Hinton Dever, preceded him in death in 2004. Survivors include his wife, Ann Dever; three children, Peggy Pesterfield and her husband, Joe, of Cleveland, TN, William Dever and his wife, Mary, of Terre Haute and Thomas Dever and his wife, Laura, of Terre Haute; nine grandchildren, Brian Pesterfield and his wife, Kimberly, Andy Pesterfield and his wife, Leigh Ann, Aimee Salazar and her husband, Dan, Alexis Darrus and her husband, Peter, Marissa Caldwell and her husband, Bobby, Michael Dever, Clifton Dever, Clayton Dever and Jennifer Riley; eleven great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Bill Malloy and his wife, Linda; and several nieces and nephews including, David Dever, Flora Ruth Dever, Becky Dever, Molly Malloy West, Patty O'Day and Bill Malloy. In addition to his parents, preceding him in death were two brothers, Frank Dever and Harry Dever; and a sister, Helen Dever. Luke was a graduate of Gerstmeyer High School and Indiana Business College. Early in his career, he worked with Paitson Brothers Hardware, Montgomery Ward Department Stores and was Vice President of Meis Department Stores. Luke's career in the wholesale beer business began with Premium Sales in 1974. A prominent local businessman for many years, Luke had a special place in his heart for his hometown of Terre Haute. He was active in many community programs including TREES, Inc. of which he was a founding member, Terre Haute Urban Forest Council, board member of the Terre Haute Action Track and worked diligently with local and state officials to curb drunken driving. He was designated as a "Herman's Hero" by Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, a recipient of the Goodwill Man of the Year award, the Gibault School Service Award in 1985, Shriner of the year in 1994 and a Terre Award honoree in 1996. A 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, Luke's Masonic affiliations included Terre Haute Lodge #19 F & AM, Scottish Rite Valley of Terre Haute, York Rite Valley of Terre Haute, Zorah Shrine, Banjo Club and Royal Order of Jesters Terre Haute Court #45. Additionally, he was a member of Memorial United Methodist Church, Downtown Terre Haute Rotary Club, where he was a Paul Harris Fellow, Sycamore Country Club and Strawberry Hill Cannoneers where he was Cannoneer of the Year in 1995. Luke was an avid fisherman and sportsman, and as a founding member of the Traveling Sportsman Club enjoyed travelling with his friends on many fishing trips to Canada. Luke's vitality, generosity, friendship and love for his family will be cherished and long held by all who were privileged to know him. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, August 5, 2014 in Callahan & Hughes Funeral Home, 605 South 25th Street, with Reverend Bernie Jackson officiating. Entombment will take place at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation is scheduled for Monday, August 4th from 4:00-8:00 P.M. with a Masonic Memorial Service to take place at 7:00 P.M. in the funeral home. The family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made to the Vigo County School Corporation Food Backpack Program, 686 Wabash Avenue, Terre Haute, IN 47807 or to TREES, Inc., P.O. Box 3683, Terre Haute, IN 47803 or to the Wabash Valley Community Foundation, 2901 Ohio Blvd., Suite 153, Terre Haute, IN 47803-2239. Funeral information is also available at www.callahanandhughes.com .
