Our Founder

In Remembrance of our Founder, Dannie M. Devol
It’s a sad day as we say goodbye to a great man and our founder. Without Dannie and Janie this organization would not have been able to serve the community for the last 19 years. Rest In Peace Our Friend
Dannie Mark Devol passed peacefully in his home on Feb. 14, 2021 at the age of 95.
Born on Feb. 2, 1926, in Carbon Hill, Ohio, Dannie was the 10th of 12 children born to John Roscoe Devol and Canny Belle Devol (Sweazy).
The son of a coal miner and homemaker, Dannie learned very young that hard work, generosity of spirit, and creative vision could lead a boy out of poverty to a successful and fulfilled life. A natural dynamic leader with a keen sense of humor and gregarious nature made him a great friend, father, and husband.
Dannie was an entrepreneur at an early age, and started many successful financial endeavors. His first job before he graduated Carbon Hill High School in 1944 was sweeping the future air strip at Rickenbacker Airport in Grove City, Ohio, for Holderman Construction Company. In 1954, Dannie’s Trailer Sales came to be, and in 1959, Dannie’s Mobile Homes. Dannie was co-founder/investor with Franz Huntington and Dave Thomas of Wendy’s. Dannie founded and owned WLGN radio station, and was also a pioneer of the tourism industry in Hocking County. After retiring, in 1999, Dannie and Jane started the Smith Chapel Food Pantry which has served Hocking County with food distribution for 19 years.
Dannie served in the Army during World War II in the Philippines from 1945-1946. He participated in the Honor Flight for WWII veterans in 2016.
Dannie married the love of his life Janie Myers in 1953. They enjoyed 67-plus years of marital bliss.
Dannie was a man of his word. He loved bluegrass music and played golf into his nineties. He had apple orchards, raised goats with his children, he and his grandson made fudge and chocolate in his basement kitchen, and loved his wife’s pie and ice-cream. He loved helping his grandkids in any endeavor. Dannie will be sorely missed, but his legacy will live on.
Awarded membership to the Commodore Club of Ohio in 1970; Commissioned as Kentucky Colonel in 1973; Presidents Club of The Ohio State University in 1973: Ohioan of the year for 2002, for his work with the Smith Chapel Food Pantry; Barton A Holl Citizenship Award in 2008; The Jefferson Award in 2011 for his work with the Smith Chapel Food Ministry.
You will be missed, but always remembered! The Volunteers of Smith Chapel Food & Clothing Mission