Irvin B. DeFrates Jr., 89, of Belleville, IL, born Tuesday, August 25, 1931 in Belleville, IL, passed away peacefully Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at his residence in Belleville, IL.
Irv was a chemist by trade but spent the bulk of his career specializing in marketing for a major St. Louis chemical company. He was a member of Signal Hill United Methodist Church in Belleville Illinois, former member of the Signal Hill School Board and Signal Hill Education Foundation. He served in the US Navy in the Korean War.
Irv was an avid gardener and loved the outdoors. He would spend hours cultivating his juicy tomatoes and giant zucchinis. He was also a huge sports fan and loved to listen to his St. Louis Cardinals as he would weed his garden. But perhaps the sporting events he liked best were the ones where his grandkids were playing. Papa Irv was a coach, a motivator and a great sport.
He was preceded in death by his:
- Wife: Frances J., nee Brown, DeFrates
- Parents: Irvin B. and Viola, nee Ackerman, DeFrates Sr.
Surviving are his:
- Daughters
- Lissa (Dave) Hollenbeck of Belleville, IL
- Lanna (Brent) Boyles of Belleville, IL
- Stacey (Mark) Henke of Belleville, IL
- Renee (Brian) Dietz of Belleville, IL
- Sister: Carol (Paul) Peterson of Belleville, IL
- Grandchildren
- Blake Hollenbeck
- Blair Hollenbeck
- Jay Boyles
- Kally (Richard) deBruijne
- Drew Boyles
- Cole Henke
- Derek Henke
- Chloe Dietz.
Memorials: Memorials may be made to the Belleville West Athletic Booster Club or Signal Hill Education Foundation.
Funeral: Private family services with interment at Valhalla Gardens of Memory, Belleville, IL.
5 Comments To "Irvin B. DeFrates Jr."
#1 Comment By Terri On January 21, 2021 @ 4:00 pm
My “extra” Dad! Love all the great memories with your Mom and Dad! I think I was at your house or Julie’s more than I was at home.
I will cherish those times forever and extremely lucky to have them!
Irv was one of kind and he will be missed, but I am happy he is with Francie again!
Love you all and thank you for always including me like family!
#2 Comment By Alicia Chillemi Slocomb On January 22, 2021 @ 10:34 am
Lissa, Lanna, Stacey and Renee – Our whole family’s hearts go out to you. You were the best daughters Irv could ever ask for, and he knew he was loved up to the very end. You know you’ve got a community of support behind you – if you need anything, please just ask. Love – the Slocombs
#3 Comment By Sam Edwards On January 22, 2021 @ 11:27 am
Very sorry for your loss. I always remember interviewing Irv for a project in high school. He told all about his time in high school and the antics he got into as well as some of his time in the Navy.
#4 Comment By Kit and Mark Schmitz On January 22, 2021 @ 8:15 pm
We are so sorry for the loss of your father. He was one heck of a father to raise four wonderful daughters like you.
Thinking of you and your families during this difficult time.
#5 Comment By Kris & Matt Shellabarger On January 24, 2021 @ 7:28 am
What a good man. And what a full life. You were so fortunate to have had him for so long and now he’s gets to be with your mom. Light and love and peace to all of you.