Peoria Journal Star, May 12, 1998

BATH - Charles R. "Buck" DeFord, 79, of Bath died at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, May 10, 1998, at his residence.

Born June 29, 1918, in Lewistown Township, Fulton County, to Dallas J. and Ida Mae Graham DeFord, he married Irene Holmes. She died March 21, 1972. He later married Frances Thomas on Aug. 4, 1973, in Bath. She survives.

Also surviving are six daughters, Sandra Hutchison and Sherry Richardson, both of Bath, Karen Cook of Virginia, Ill., Chris Willis of Rochester, Judy Evans of Gig Harbor, Wash., and Cindy Hansen of Denmark; six sons, Kenny, Donny and Jerry, all of Bath, Brian of Havana, Michael of Makanda and David of Chandlerville; five stepdaughters, Sharon Smith of Lewistown, Allie Gray of Canton, Dollie Richardson and Violet Blakely, both of Bath, and Contee Thomas of Havana; three stepsons, James Thomas and Raymond Thomas, both of Bath, and Frank Thomas of Pennsylvania; 23 grandchildren; 19 stepgrandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; 22 stepgreat-grandchildren; and four nieces.

He was preceded in death by two sisters and two great-grandchildren.

He was a farmer and farm manger for C. R and Wilbur Bell for 30 years.

He was a member of the Mason County Farm Bureau.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Hurley Funeral Home in Havana. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 tonight at the funeral home. Burial will be in Bath Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Mason County Ambulance in care of Mason District Hospital.

State Journal-Register, Springfield, IL, May 12, 1998

BATH - Charles R. "Buck' DeFord, 79, of Bath died Sunday at his residence.

Survivors: wife, Frances; six daughters, Sandra Hutchison and Sherry Richardson, both of Bath, Karen Cook of Virginia, Cindy Hansen of Denmark, Judy Evans of Gig Harbor, Wash., and Chris Willis of Rochester; six sons, Kenny, Donny and Jerry DeFord, all of Bath, David DeFord of Chandlerville, Brian DeFord of Havana and Michael DeFord of Makanda; 23 grandchildren; 19 step-grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; 22 step-great-grandchildren; five stepdaughters, Sharon Smith of Lewistown, Allie Gray of Canton, Dollie Richardson and Violet Blakely, both of Bath, and Contee Thomas of Havana; three stepsons, Frank Thomas of Pennsylvania and James and Raymond Thomas, both of Bath; and four nieces. Services: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Hurley Funeral Home, Havana. Burial: Bath Cemetery.

Contributed by Sara Hemp