Edward "Ed" D. Deforest

Edward David DeForest, 83, died December 6,-2018 at the Veteran’s Home in Mexico, Missouri. He was born May 17, 1935, near Melvern, Ks. the son of Francis Lee Veal DeForest and Bertha Goldie DeForest. Edward graduated from Lebo High School in 1953. He was an army veteran, and served in Korea. Bachelors and Master’s degrees in art education were granted to Mr. DeForest from Emporia State UniversityTeaching secondary art, was Mr. DeForest’s great passion. Ed taught in Cleveland, Ohio and Marysville, Kansas. Later he was employed as a graphic designer at Wolf Creek Nuclear Power Plant near Burlington and worked as a creel census taker for the Kansas Dept. of Parks & Wildlife at Melvern Reservoir. Mr. Deforest was a longtime member of the VFW Post #2699 Marysville, Ks and Post 0323, Lebo, Ks.He married Loretta Beavers and they were divorced. Ed is loved and survived by his sister Judy Shoemaker Baxter Springs, Ks and brother Glen DeForest of Maple Hill, Ks, daughter Linda Swim and husband Jim of Marysville, Ks; son Mike DeForest and wife Jennifer, of Hiawatha, Ks; son David DeForest and wife Kristi of Fulton, Mo. Seven grandchildren Zia Swim, Hannah Swim, Gabe DeForest, Nate DeForest, Bridget Aldrich, Lindsey Foster, and Ashley Pyle. Three great grandchildren Grace Swim, Ivy Aldrich, Jayden Foster and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers Harry, Jim, Norman, Harold, and Jerry.A stray dog’s best friend was Ed DeForest. He loved animals and enjoyed feeding birds and squirrels. His many hobbies included creating beautiful art of varied media. To family and friends he leaves a legacy of fine artwork in the forms of jewelry, walnut/glass tables, sculptures, paintings and drawings. His love of art survives through the works of his many talented students. In typical Ed DeForest style, for a cemetery monument, he selected a large glacial erratic pink Sioux quartzite boulder. He enjoyed writing poems and Willie Wheat Woolie children’s books. He searched for mushrooms and “Good Stuff” along river bottoms and reservoirs. Good stuff included old cast iron artifacts, arrowheads, bubble glass bottles, ‘neat’ bones and fossils. Edward used Ithaca feather light shotguns to hunt prairie chickens, ducks, pheasant, and quail. With Mepps spinners and Jitterbugs, Ed fished with Mitchell open face reels for bass & channel cats. Springtime would find Ed jigging for crappie with fly rods.Mr. DeForest suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, but maintained his zest and love for life to the end. Ed often voiced not wanting to be a burden to his family which he of course was not. If one asked Ed how he was, his smiling reply invariably would be, “Well I’m alive”. He daily told caregivers and visitors that he loved his family and that he was a world famous artist. His favorite name for caregivers was, “Honey Bunny” followed by a most sincere “I love you”.Services will be held at the Jones Van Arsdale Funeral Home, Lebo, Ks. January 11, 2019 at 1 p.m. Mr. DeForest’s ashes will be buried at Lincoln Cemetery. The family will receive friends an hour before services. Memorial contributions may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association.