Paul DeFrees

Paul DeFrees, 80, of Streator, passed away unexpectedly Saturday evening in Streator.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Paul Defrees will be at 11:30 a.m. Sat. Feb. 23rd, at St. Michael the Archangel Parish, burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, serving as pallbearers will be Jim Abry; Bill Abry; Mike Ferguson, Ron ‘Corky’ Marshall, John ‘Zeke’ Parzgnat; and Terry Roper.  A visitation will be from 9-11 a.m. Saturday at the Elias Funeral Home.
Born June 3, 1938 in Pontiac, IL, he was the son of Clarence and Helen (Setzer) DeFrees, he married Judy Amell August 20, 1960.
He is survived by his wife Judy of Streator, daughters Debbie Pohlod of Streator, Paula DeFrees of Elmhurst, IL, granddaughters Lexi Pohlod and Casey Danko and a great granddaughter Mackenzie Valent. Also surviving is a brother Gerald DeFrees of Pontiac and sister Helen Abry of Odell, IL and several nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, son-in-law Ron Pohlod in 2012, siblings James DeFrees, Ken “Kam” DeFrees, Robert DeFrees, Mary Ferguson, John DeFrees and William “Jake” DeFrees.
Paul attended Odell Grade School, Pontiac High School and the University of Illinois where he received a BS in Pharmacy. 
His pharmacy career spanned 55 years and included Wayside Drugs, Streator Drugs, St. Mary’s Hospital, Streator and Medi-Rx in Ottawa, IL.
He was a member of St. Michael the Archangel Parish, the Streator Knights of Columbus and was the unofficial door greeter at the Streator V.F.W. for Wednesday Chicken night.  He was an avid Chicago Cubs fan and a very charitable man supporting numerous organizations in Streator and across the united states.
Memorials may be directed to a charity of the donor’s choice.  Please sign the guest book for Paul at www.eliasfh.com
 

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