Michael Louis Deverich

Michael Louis Deverich, 85, passed away peacefully at home with his family surrounding him on Dec. 8, 2017. He was born to Croatian immigrants, Mike and Katherine Deverich, on Oct. 9, 1932. Preceded in death by his parents; sister, Rose Deverich; and infant daughter, Michalene Rene Deverich. Survived by his wife of 62 years, Eileen Deverich; children, Michael (Toni Knish) Deverich, Mary Kay Deverich, John Deverich and Jacqueline Deverich; grandchildren, Jacob, Megan and Nicole Deverich and Michael Kelly; numerous extended family members; and his precious sheepdog, Maggie. As a child, Mike and Warren 'Woe' Carrere, Richard 'Rach' Carrere, Bill 'weeder' Montoya and Joe 'Joba' Strilich formed the Prairie Midgets - friendships that had lasted over his lifetime. They met every Friday for breakfast and reminisced about days gone by. They recalled days of shining shoes and setting pins at the bowling alley to make money. At 16 years old, he went to work at CF&I. Mike graduated Central High in 1950 then attended school at Pueblo Junior College. In 1952, he was drafted into the US Army and served two years. He married Eileen Kocman on Jan 8, 1955, while he was attending school in Ft. Collins at Colorado A&M (CSU) graduating in 1956. After 40 years of service as a ceramic engineer at CF&I, her retired in 1988. He then went to work part-time as a consultant for North American Refractories. Mike was a very active man; he enjoyed camping, fishing, riding horses and golf. He was instrumental in the formation of the Okolitza Tamburitzans. He was a member of Preseren Glee Club, St. Joseph's Lodge 7 of the American Slovenian Catholic Union and past president of St. Jacob's Lodge 104 of the Croatian Fraternal Union. He took lessons in the Croatian language with Steve 'Jimbo' Pavacich. He was a member of Preseren. There was always a project around his house or the house of any one of his children. He was known for his joking manner and quick wit. Cremation, Montgomery & Steward Crematorium. Memorial Mass, 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12, at St. Mary Church, 307 E. Mesa Ave. Memorials may be made to Sangre de Cristo Hospice or Okolitza Tamburitzans through Montgomery & Steward Funeral Directors, 1317 N. Main St., Pueblo, CO 81003. Online condolences, www.montgomerysteward.com