Lewis DeFries

Lewis DeFries - age 79 of Turney, MO passed away Wednesday night, October 14th, 2020 at his home, with family at his side. Lewis was born on December 30th, 1940 the son of Christian and Edine (Coffelt) DeFries in Kansas City, KS.  He was a 1959 graduate of the Piper, KS high school.  On February 28th, 1959 he was united in marriage to Diane Stair at Stony Point Christian Church in Kansas City, KS.  Lewis’s desire was to raise his boys in the country on the farm where they have made their home for the past 49 years.  Lewis was a man of faith, family man and hard worker. He worked as an electrician for Ford Motor Company for over 30 years.  Lewis was a member and deacon of the First Baptist Church, Lathrop, MO where he was instrumental in the process of building a new campus.  He was a quiet man, but had the driest, quickest, wittiest humor.  Lewis could fix anything and taught his sons the same.  He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. 

Lewis was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Virgil DeFries and sister, Dolores Potter.  Survivors include: wife, Diane of the home; sons, Mike (Penny) DeFries of Turney, John (Lynn) DeFries of Lawson, Jim DeFries of Turney, Bill (Kamra) of Novinger; brother, Christian DeFries of California. Grandchildren: Steve (Jenn) Matt (Jamie) , Johnathan (Stephanie), Lucas, Billie (Mike), Brack, Ian (Danielle), West, Raven, Brynli, Brooklyn, Baylie, Lewis Reed, Jessica (Justin);  19 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended family also survive.       

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the First Baptist Church of Lathrop Building Fund in care of the funeral home. ***The family respectfully asks that you wear a mask and practice social distancing at the church. Funeral Service: 3 PM, Sunday, October 18th, 2020, First Baptist Church of Lathrop.  The family will begin receiving friends at 1:30 PM prior to the service at the church on Sunday. Friends may call 11 AM to 5 PM Saturday at the funeral home. Burial: Turney Cemetery, Turney, MO. Arrangements entrusted to the care and direction of Stith Funeral Home, Lathrop. Online guestbook at www.stithfamilyfunerals.com

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