IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Larry W.
Deford
August 1, 2016
Obituary
ELKHART — Larry W. DeFord, 77, of Elkhart, passed to his rest Monday, Aug. 1, at Cass County Medical Care Facility, after an extended illness.
Larry was born Sept. 12, 1938, in Elkhart, to the late James C. and Ethel I. (Miller) DeFord.
He married the former Irmgard L. Friedauer on Feb. 15, 1964, in Goshen. She survives, as well as his children, Donna Spratt of Elkhart, a stepdaughter, Angela O'Sullivan of Crestview, Fla., Kirk DeFord, Judy DeFord, both of Elkhart and Bruce (Nicole) DeFord of Berkeley, Ill.; 15 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; brother Michael DeFord of Kentucky; and a sister, Pat (Jerry) Mann of Jones, Mich.
Larry retired from Miles (Bayer) Laboratories after more than 30 years of service. He attended Elkhart High School and then served in the U.S. Army, where he was honorable discharged in 1964. Larry was a loving caregiver for his wife. He was a small business owner and member of the Elkhart Moose Lodge. He was also an avid gardener, fisherman and Notre Dame fan. He thoroughly enjoyed attending his children's and grandchildren's activities over the years.
Visitation for Larry will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 7, at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St. Elkhart. A funeral procession will form at Billings Funeral Home at 12:45 p.m. Monday, Aug. 8, for the 1 p.m. graveside service in Prairie Street Cemetery. Father Bob VanKempen of St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church will officiate. Military honors will be rendered by the U.S. Army Funeral Honor Guard and DAV Chapter 19.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517 Topeka, Kan., 66675.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.billingsfuneralhome.com.
Larry was born Sept. 12, 1938, in Elkhart, to the late James C. and Ethel I. (Miller) DeFord.
He married the former Irmgard L. Friedauer on Feb. 15, 1964, in Goshen. She survives, as well as his children, Donna Spratt of Elkhart, a stepdaughter, Angela O'Sullivan of Crestview, Fla., Kirk DeFord, Judy DeFord, both of Elkhart and Bruce (Nicole) DeFord of Berkeley, Ill.; 15 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; brother Michael DeFord of Kentucky; and a sister, Pat (Jerry) Mann of Jones, Mich.
Larry retired from Miles (Bayer) Laboratories after more than 30 years of service. He attended Elkhart High School and then served in the U.S. Army, where he was honorable discharged in 1964. Larry was a loving caregiver for his wife. He was a small business owner and member of the Elkhart Moose Lodge. He was also an avid gardener, fisherman and Notre Dame fan. He thoroughly enjoyed attending his children's and grandchildren's activities over the years.
Visitation for Larry will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 7, at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St. Elkhart. A funeral procession will form at Billings Funeral Home at 12:45 p.m. Monday, Aug. 8, for the 1 p.m. graveside service in Prairie Street Cemetery. Father Bob VanKempen of St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church will officiate. Military honors will be rendered by the U.S. Army Funeral Honor Guard and DAV Chapter 19.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517 Topeka, Kan., 66675.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.billingsfuneralhome.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Larry W. Deford, please visit our flower store.
Services
Graveside Service
August
8
Prairie Street Cemetery
Starts at 1:00 pm