Glen F. Deforest, Sr.

Glen F. DeForest Sr., 87, passed away Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at his home near Keene.
He was born March 6, 1933 near Melvern, Kansas the son of Francis and Bertha Dyste DeForest.
Glen enlisted in the United States Army on March 13, 1951 and proudly served until receiving a honorable discharge on March 13, 1954. Following his military service, Glen bought the “Ivy Vine Farm” on K-4 Hwy in the late 1950’s and never left.
He began working at Goodyear in 1958. Glen spent most of his time there as a tire builder for the large earthmovers as well as truck tires. His career with Goodyear span almost 30 years until his retirement in 1985. Glen continued farming until 2016.
Glen was a member of the American Legion and V.F.W. Posts 1650 and 2187.
Glen fondly told stories of growing up around Ottumwa and visiting his grandparents in Agricola. He enjoyed hunting with his dogs, trapping and fishing.
Glen will live on in the hearts and minds of his daughters, Shay Foster and her husband, Chad of Eskridge, Kansas, Karen DeForest of Lake Placid, Florida and Amy Boon and her husband John of Garland, Texas; his sons, Dave DeForest and his wife Angie of Topeka, Kansas and Glen F. DeForest II of Norton, Kansas; a sister, Judy Shoemaker and her husband Jack of Baxter Springs, Kansas, eleven grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren; numerous extended family and a host of friends. He was preceded in death by a son, Wayne DeForest; his parents and brothers, Jim, Harry, Norman, Ed, Harold and Jerry.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Monday, December 14, 2020 at Lincoln Cemetery in Lebo, Kansas. Memorial contributions may be made to the Helping Hands Humane Society and sent in care of the Jones VanArsdale Funeral Home at P.O. Box #43, Lebo, Kansas 66856. Condolences may be expressed at vanarsdalefs.com.