John R. DeFord, 80, of Lewistown died at 8:38 p.m. March 12, 2022, at Graham Hospital emergency room in Canton.John R. DeFord, 80, of Lewistown died at 8:38 p.m. March 12, 2022, at Graham Hospital emergency room in Canton.
He was born Sept. 15, 1941, in Table Grove, a son of Ross and Mildred Stremmel DeFord. He married Janice J. Lasswell on Sept. 29, 1962, in Lewistown. She died Oct. 23, 2021.
He also was preceded in death by three brothers; and one great-grandson, Wesley Prytherch.
Surviving are two sons, Scott (and Sandi) DeFord and Brad DeFord, both of Lewistown; two sisters, Linda Lane of Cuba and Joanne Lindsey of Canton; and five grandchildren.
He retired from Caterpillar with 35 years of service. After retiring, he drove fertilizer trucks for area fertilizer companies and also hauled grain for several local farmers. He was a member of Illinois Street Christian Church and UAW Local 974. While working at Caterpillar he was a member of the Caterpillar Mapleton Fire Department and had achieved the rank of Captain. He also was a volunteer for the Lewistown Fire Department. He was a former City of Lewistown alderman where he served for several terms.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Henry-Lange Memorial Home in Lewistown with Reverend Brant Reed officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery in Lewistown. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at the memorial home.
Memorials may be made to his church.
Condolences may be sent to henrylange.com.
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