Deva Dawn Wike

Deva Wike, 95, of Twin Falls, passed away peacefully Friday, March 9, 2018 at the Brookdale Assisted Living Center in Twin Falls due to causes incident to age. Deva was born on October 10, 1922 at home in Ridgeway Missouri, to Edward Collins and Maude Cox Collins. After they lost everything in a tornado, the family moved to Twin Falls where her father found work as a guard at the water tower during the depression. Deva attended schools in Twin Falls, and graduated from Twin Falls High School in 1941. After graduation, Deva worked as a clerk for Woolworths, and at the Filer Seedhouse. In 1942, she and a friend moved to Portland Oregon to work in the woolen mills.
Feeling the power of patriotism and the need to serve her country in wartime, Deva attended a recruitment meeting and enlisted in the US Navy (WAVS) in July of 1943. Deva went to boot camp at Hunter College in New York City. After 4 weeks of training, Deva graduated Petty Officer 3rd Class. Deva was assigned to the Bureau of Ordinance, Navy Department in Washington DC. Deva served in Washington DC, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and a short time in Stillwater Oklahoma. Deva's service was to last until the end of the war plus six months when she was honorably discharged in 1946 with the rank of Yeoman 2nd Class.
Deva was at a USO dance for returning veterans in Twin Falls at the Radio Rendevous when she met a dashing young navy boy who had also just returned from the service. He was a young man from Filer. Deva wasn't certain about this young man when they first met, but he persisted and they soon were falling in love and marriage would follow in 1946. Deva and ArCelous Wike were married in Twin Falls on June 8, 1946. Deva and Arky spent their early years living and working in Twin Falls, Boise, Burley and American Falls, before finally settling in Pocatello where they both worked for the Ordinance Plant. Deva went to work for the US Department of Agriculture where she would retire after 21 years of civil service. Arky passed away in 1990, and Deva continued to live in Pocatello where she was active in OES, Daughters of the Nile, Loyal Order of Beauceant, and various other fraternal organizations as well as a volunteer for AARP for many years. Deva moved to Twin Falls in 2010 after sustaining serious injuries in a car accident and could no longer live on her own. She wanted to be close to family, and made many new friendships during her stay at Brookdale.
Deva is preceded in death by her beloved husband Arky, her parents, her 6 siblings; Deann, Etta, Faye, Alva, Dale, and Herb. She is survived by several nieces and nephews, including her great-niece, Christine Johns ( Jerry ) and their children, Dane and Shiann, whom Deva claimed as her own. Deva had a special bond with Shiann who was her best friend and closest ally.
Funeral services for Deva will be held Friday, March 16, at 11:00 am at the Cornelison Funeral Home in Pocatello, Idaho at 431 North 15th Avenue with a 1 hour visitation at 10:00 am prior to the service. Deva will be laid to rest next to her husband at the Mountain View Cemetery with Military rites following the service. There will be a luncheon at the Masonic Lodge, 535 North Arthur Avenue immediately following the graveside service.
Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.cornelisonfh.com
208-232-0542

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