Max and Fern DeForest Memorial

Max DeForest

Max DeForest Obituary (2015) – Springfield, MO – News-Leader

Max DeForest, 92, of Springfield, MO, died peacefully on March 12, 2015 at The Manor at Elfindale.

Max, the third of four boys, was born and raised on farms near Woodbine, IA. Farming until his younger brother was ready to graduate high school in 1944, he enlisted in the US Army and married (Roberta) Fern Henderson, also of Woodbine.

Assigned to the 78th Infantry Division, he entered combat in western Germany as a replacement in the Battle of the Bulge. Serving as a scout, he earned his Combat Infantry Badge, a Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, a Bronze Star Medal and European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon w/3 Bronze Battle Stars, fighting in the Hurtgen Forest, the Roer Valley, and east of the Rhine River, having crossed the renowned bridge at Remagen. In 1951 he was called back up for the Korean War and served stateside in a Heavy Equipment Shop.

In 1946, Max began a 24 year career with Tractor Supply Company, serving as a Vice President and a member of the Board of Directors until the company was sold in 1970. Having been instrumental in Lloyd and Orville Race’s purchase of their Tractor Supply franchises, he and a partner purchased Race Bros Farm Supply in Springfield from them in 1971. Max became sole owner and helped finance three other farm stores. He sold his interest in two of them, his sons became his partners in Carthage, MO, and with his involvement his three children opened a third store in Monett, MO.

Max served as President of Wheatbelt, a distributor to independent farm stores, and on the Ozark Empire Fair Board. He was a Rotarian, was active in his church and community, and enjoyed participating in Congressman Roy Blunt’s tours of SW Missouri that sought to recognize and promote innovative and successful enterprises in the area. He and his wife Fern participated in the establishment of Founder’s Park in Springfield, contribute to the Marching Band and Music Department of (Southwest) Missouri State University and sought to give back to the community in various ways. On March 6, 2012, he was awarded the Outstanding Missourian Award at the State Capitol, presented by Rep Charlie Denison.

Max will be remembered for his deep love and devotion not only for his wife and family, but also for the countless number of friends whom he greatly valued, his generosity, kindness, integrity, hard work and positive attitude. He affected the lives of many. Max is proceeded in death by his parents, Jesse and Hazel DeForest, brothers J. Delvin and Richard DeForest, and his beloved wife of over 68 years, Fern. He is survived by his brother William DeForest of Fremont, NE, son Roger (Pam) DeForest of Springfield, daughter Susan (Thom) Olmstead of Mesa, AZ, son Craig (Lori) DeForest of Springfield, grandsons Ryan (Julie) Olmstead of Mesa, AZ, Brian DeForest of Monett, MO, Kenny DeForest of Brooklyn, NY, granddaughters Jessica DeForest (Eric Stone) of Springfield, Katie (Tim) Hoiland of Tempe, AZ and great-grandchildren Samuel and Kaelyn Olmstead of Mesa, AZ and Lyla Stone of Springfield.

The family is most appreciative for the outstanding, loving care he received at The Manor at Elfindale.

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/news-leader/name/max-deforest-obituary?id=19391457

Roberta DeForest

Roberta DeForest

Roberta Fern DeForest of Springfield peacefully passed away Thursday, January 10, 2013 at Cox South Hospital in Springfield.

Fern, the youngest of a large family, was born and raised on farms near Woodbine, Iowa. After graduating from Woodbine Normal School in 1942, she taught K-8 in one room country schools for two years before marrying Max DeForest, also from Woodbine. As he served in combat during WW II, she took a Civil Service job in Omaha, Nebraska. Following the war, they relocated numerous times due to Max’s work, spending 14 years in Bensenville, Illinois while raising their three children.

In 1971 they purchased Race Bros. Farm Supply and moved to Springfield, MO. Fern loved deeply with humility, compassion, kindness, grace and generosity, always seeing the good in others and quick to extend her heart and home to all. She and Max were a devoted team in all areas of life, together enjoying family, work, church, community activities and travel. She loved life stories, developed rich records of family history, and inspired a love of learning.

Fern is preceded in death by her parents, Don and Lilah Henderson and her seven siblings. She is survived by her husband of over 68 years, Max DeForest, her son Roger (Pam) DeForest of Springfield, daughter Susan (Thom) Olmstead of Mesa, AZ, and son Craig (Lori) of Springfield, grandsons Ryan (Julie) Olmstead of Mesa, AZ, Brian DeForest of Monett, Kenny DeForest of Chicago and granddaughters Jessica DeForest of Springfield and Katie (Tim) Hoiland of Phoenix, AZ, and great-grandchildren Samuel and Kaelyn Olmstead of Mesa, AZ.

https://www.gormanscharpf.com/obituary/5071597