Vearl E. DeVaul

Vearl “Sonny” E. DeVaul, 89, of Moravia, NY passed away Thursday, December 4, 2025, after a brief illness.

Sonny was born in Canastota, NY on March 11, 1936, son of the late Vearl & Freida (Jones) DeVaul. Sonny was raised on his family’s dairy farm in Canastota and Pompey, NY and began farming from the time he could walk. He graduated from Fabius-Pompey High School in 1954, Salutatorian of his class. After graduation, Sonny continued farming alongside his father, carrying out his family legacy.

On August 6, 1955, Sonny united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Dawn E. (Newell) DeVaul. Together they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this year. In 1957, they purchased and operated their beautiful farm on Ensenore Rd. in Moravia, NY overlooking Owasco Lake. Sonny was a remarkable dairy farmer and dedicated his life’s work to taking care of his family, farm, and cows. He often told Dawn, he couldn’t have done his work without his children and favorite tractor driver, DAWN! His farm received the Dairy of Distinction Award in 1993 from Dairylea Cooperative Inc as well as the "Super Milk" award. Sonny was a softspoken man who always offered his sense of humor and knowledge of life and farming with family and friends. From a young age, Sonny developed a love for draft horses. He and Dawn enjoyed going to the State Fair yearly to see the draft horse shows and pulls. Sonny loved popcorn and began growing his own popping corn that he loved to share with his family and loved ones. When Sonny wasn’t farming, he enjoyed reading, driving and taking rides along the hillsides of Cayuga and neighboring counties, gardening, watching the Boston Celtics and Syracuse basketball and whittling with his trusted jack knife. Sonny retired from dairy farming in 2002 but continued to raise beef cows until the age of 87. He was a member of the Christ United Methodist Church of Locke and Moravia.

Sonny is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 70 years, Dawn E. DeVaul; his 5 children, Melanie Rowe of Moravia, Daniel DeVaul of Moravia, Tim (Jennifer) DeVaul of Clayton, NC, Laurie (Gary) Stevens of Venice Center, and Amy (Jeff) Colvin, of Moravia; 12 grandchildren (Kristi, Wendy, Nick, Katie, Nicole, Abby, Andrew, Michael, Brandon, Stacy, Chad, and Kelly); 16 great-grandchildren; sisters, Thelma “Bunny” Shurtleff, Marion Dennis, Genevieve Raffuel; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his eldest sister, June Webb; brothers-in-law Roy Webb Sr., George Shurtleff, Clarence Dennis, and Joseph Raffuel.

The family would like to thank the nurses and doctors of Auburn Community Hospital and a special thank you to Dr. Bennett, Dr. Godishala and Dr. Baker for their continued support and care.

Family and friends are invited to call on Monday, December 8, 2025, from 11:00am-1:00pm in the White Chapel Funeral Home Inc., 197 South Street, Auburn. A funeral service will follow immediately at 1:00pm. Spring Interment will take place in Lakeview Cemetery, Fleming, NY.

Friends wishing to do so may make memorial contributions in Sonny’s name to: Christ United Methodist Church of Locke and Moravia or to Draft Gratitude: rehoming retired draft horses, by visiting draftgratitute.com.

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