Clifton J. Defreece

Clifton J. DeFreece, age 91, of Columbus, NE died on September 21, 2011 at the Norfolk Veterans Home.

He was the son of B. Clifton and Alma (McNair) DeFreece and was born June 7, 1920 in Unadilla, NE. He attended school in Crab Orchard, NE and graduated from the Boyles Business College in Omaha. He joined the Army in March 1942 and served on active duty until honorably discharged in December 1945.

Cliff married Cecile F. Kershaw in February 1949 and together they worked side-by-side in the restaurant business from 1951 1984, including Kings / DeFreeces in Columbus. He was a member and President of the Nebraska Restaurant Association and was named the Nebraska Restaurateur of the Year in 1978.

Clifton was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the American Legion, Elks and an honorary lifetime member of the VFW. He and his wife enjoyed square dancing and were very active in the local Harolds Squares dance group. He was an avid rodeo and quarter horse fan and attended numerous rodeos and horse shows across the country. He was also a great supporter of the Columbus High School wrestling team.

He is survived by wife; sons Michael (Marcia) DeFreece of Omaha, Randall (Cherie) DeFreece of Kearney, NE; grandchildren Jeff, Michelle, Todd (Kourtney), Joslyn, Kristyn and Kaitlyn; great grandchildren Mason, Madison and Mitchell. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister Ardell and a brother Lloyd. Memorials are suggested to the Columbus Chapter of the Alzheimers Association, the First United Methodist Church or the Norfolk Veterans Home.