John Frank & Cecelia (Worm) DeFer

Cecelia Worm, daughter of Thomas and Barbara (Miller) Worm, was born 17 Jan 1884 in Crawford County, Ohio and died 7 Jan 1974 at Traverse City, Michigan.  She was baptised at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in New Washington, Ohio on 19 Jan 1884.  Cecelia married John Frank DeFer 5 Oct 1908 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hannah, Grand Traverse County, Michigan.  He was born 22 April 1881 in Macomb County, Michigan to Frank and Mary (Jacomb) DeFer and died 23 Jan 1972 at Traverse City, Michigan.

Obituary of John F. DeFer - Record Eagle, Traverse City, Michigan, 24 Jan 1972, page 3
"JOHN DEFER DIES AT AGE OF 90
John F. DeFer, 90, of 1011 Cass Street, died Sunday noon at Munson Medical Center following a short illness.

Mr. DeFer was born April 22, 1881, in Macomb County, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank DeFer.  He was married to the former Cecelia Worm Oct. 5, 1908 at Hannah.  He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and four brothers.

He is survived by two sons, Harvey DeFer of Traverse City and Sylvester DeFer of Mobile, Alabama, and one grandchild.

Mr. DeFer came to Traverse City from Detroit in 1927 and lived here since that time, operating an auto repair service.  He was a member of St. Francis Church, the Dads Club of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the FOE Number 383.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 10 a.m. from St. Francis church with the Rev. Fr. Louis Bergen celebrant.  A rosary will be recited tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Reynolds Funeral Home where the body reposes.  Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery."


John Frank and Cecelia (Worm) DeFer had two children:

1 - Sylvester J. DeFer was born 24 Oct 1909 at Traverse City, Michigan and died in May 1983 at Mobile, Alabama.  Sylvester did not have any children.  He is buried in Oakwood Cemetery at Traverse City, Michigan.
2 - Harvey George DeFer (1923-1979)


Obituary of Sylvester J. DeFer - Record Eagle, Traverse City, Michigan, 24 May 1982, page 11
"MOBILE, Ala. - Sylvester (Sal) DeFer, 73, who retired as an aircraft technician from Berkley Air Force Base after 30 years og service, died Saturday at his home.

He had lived in Mobile for the past 41 years, moving from Traverse City.

He was born in Traverse City on Oct. 24, 1909, to John and Cecelia (Worm) DeFer.

He is survived by a nephew, Randall DeFer; a sister-in-law, Floy DeFer; and a great-nephew, Matthew DeFer, all of Traverse City; and several cousins.  Preceding him in death was a brother, Harvey.

Funeral services will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Reynolds-Hanson-Jonkhoff Funeral Home of Traverse City, where friends may call on Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m.  Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery.  Memorials may be directed to the Michigan Heart Association.  Envelopes are available at the funeral home."