Devere Carlson

DeVere R. Carlson

DeVere Russell Carlson, age 93 of Gibsonia, Pennsylvania, died peacefully Sunday, September 16, 2018 at Mt. Vernon of South Park Nursing Center.

He was born on December 22, 1924 in Nanty-Glo, Pennsylvania, one of seven children of John Fredrick Carlson and Martha (Stott) Carlson.  Upon graduation from high school, DeVere enlisted in the Army and served as Sergeant during World War II in the Pacific Campaign, mainly in Okinawa. After his military service, he returned to Pennsylvania and attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania (Indiana State Teachers College) where he received his Bachelor’s Degree and began his career as an Educator and Administrator. He continued his education path and received his Doctorate in Educational Administration from the University of Pittsburgh. Starting initially as a teacher, he moved up to Principal at Ginger Hill Elementary School and then on to Assistant Superintendent at Keystone Oaks School District. After accepting the position at Keystone Oaks School District, he relocated his family from Richeyville to Pleasant Hills where he resided until the untimely death of his first wife, Mary Harriett (Hess) in 1980. He later married Sally Mahan and moved to Gibsonia where he resided until his death.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Mary Harriet (Hess) Carlson in 1980 and five of his siblings.  He is survived by wife, Sally Mahan Carlson of Gibsonia; two sons - Craig (Cheryl) Carlson of Jefferson Hills, Pennsylvania and Curt Carlson of Las Vegas, Nevada; three grandchildren, two great grandchildren, three step-children - Pastor Mark (Tracy) Mahan, Christy Mahan and Scott (Kathleen) Mahan; six step- grandchildren; and his sister, Marcella Gyurke of Loretto, Pennsylvania.

In lieu of flowers, his sons have established a memorial fund with the Boys & Girls Clubs where donations will be used “To enable all young people, especially those who need us most,
to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.”

Donations can be made at: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E11495&id=8

A private funeral service will be held Thursday, September, 20 at noon at Stephen D. Slater Funeral Home in Jefferson Hills followed by a burial with Military Honors in Beallsville Cemetery, Beallsville, Pennsylvania next to his first wife, Mary Harriett.