Wilmina L. “Minie” Deford

November 3, 2023

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Wilmina L. “Minie” Deford, 92, of Frankfort, died November 3, 2023 at I.U. Hospital, Frankfort.  She was born on March 31, 1931 in Clinton County to Merrill and Laura (Avery) Maish. She married Arnold L. Deford on November 2, 1952 in Santa Monica, CA and he preceded her in death on November 2, 2004.

Minie attended Beard Elementary and was a 1949 graduate of Michigantown High School.  A lifelong Clinton County resident she was a press operator at Federal Mogul, working there for 30 years before retiring in March of 1996. She attended the Manson Congregational Christian Church.  She enjoyed baking for church activities with her specialty being snicker doodle cookies, Texas sheet cakes, and zucchini and oatmeal pies.  She was a former board member and volunteer at Rainbow Haven.  She especially enjoyed being a caregiver for her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Visitation and Services

Visitation will be from 1-2 p.m. Saturday, November 11, 2023 at Goodwin Funeral Home, 200 S. Main St., Frankfort. Funeral services will begin at 2 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Plainview Cemetery, Colfax, Ind. Memorial donations may be made to Manson Church or Disabled American Veterans.

Survived by:

Sons: Mike (Patty) Deford of Frankfort, Joe (Cathy) Deford of Rossville, Daughters: LouAnn (Glen) Menchhofer of Holton, Ind., Susie (companion Gary Graves) Deford of Georgetown, Ind., Sister: Thelma Seward of Indianapolis, 4 Grandchildren: Leslie (Dustin) Phillips of Frankfort, Lee (Monica) Deford of Colfax, Ryan (Kelsey) Deford of W. Lafayette, and Adriene (Nathanael) Huffman of Oconomowoc, WI, 8 Great Grandchildren: Morgan, Nicholas, Logan, Piper, Zoey, Colton, Chloe, and Corden.

Preceded by:

her parents, spouse, sister Bernadine Coombs 2 brothers Bernard (sister-in-law Carrie) Maish and Gordon (sister-in-law Charlotte) Maish and brother-in-law Tom Seward.

Memorial Video

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Condolences

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12 Condolences for “Wilmina L. “Minie” Deford”

  1. Davie Lee Reed November 5, 2023 at 1:46 pm

    Although I had only met her a few times, she was always so nice and was a great cook. Feisty, yet good sense of humor. She will be missed by all.

    Reply
  2. Sandee Pickard November 5, 2023 at 2:58 pm

    So sorry to see your grandma died Leslie. Hugs to you and your family.

    Reply
  3. Carol (Hankins) Brown November 5, 2023 at 5:14 pm

    Lou Ann and family, condolences to all of you. She has been a good friend to my mother while at Wesley Manor. Prayers for peace.

    Reply
  4. Ron Fickle November 5, 2023 at 7:04 pm

    Ron and Becky Fickle pass along our deepest condolences to your family.

    Reply
  5. Tricia Warren November 5, 2023 at 7:25 pm

    I’m so sorry for your loss, Mike, Joe and Susie. I will put the family in my prayers.

    Reply
  6. Madeline A Sanders November 5, 2023 at 8:43 pm

    To the Deford family, my prayers and condolences to all of you.

    Reply
  7. Janice Fickle Adams November 6, 2023 at 9:06 pm

    So sorry for your loss. Minie and Arnold were friends with our parents. I have memories of going to their home and growing up with all of their children. Condolences to LouAnn, Susie, Mike, Joe, and your families.

    Reply
  8. Jim and Rose Eldridge November 7, 2023 at 9:57 pm

    Mike, Joe, LouAnn, Susie,
    So sorry to read of your mother’s passing. Praying for peace for your family during this time of grief.
    Jim and Rose Marie Eldridge

    Reply
  9. Greg & Carla Renick November 8, 2023 at 1:45 pm

    Mike and Lee,
    We are very sorry for your loss. Thinking of you and your family during this time.

    Reply
  10. Debbie Peter November 11, 2023 at 11:39 am

    Minie was very special to me. I met her back in 2004 when I started attending church at Manson. She was one special lady with a great sense of humor and a joy to be around! She was always willing to help others out and is a treasure who will be missed. I remember visiting her weekly when she fell of the ladder at home and was recuperating at Wesley Manor many years ago. She hated being laid up and not able to get up and go. She was a true friend to Pat and I’m sure they have been dancing on streets of Gold since she joined her in Heaven! My condolences and prayers of peace and comfort to the family during this difficult time.

    Reply
  11. Shellie Dexter November 12, 2023 at 11:50 am

    Deepest sympathy to the family. Sorry for your loss

    Phyllis Bates and Shellie

    Reply
  12. Ann Friend Crider November 12, 2023 at 11:03 pm

    I send you my sympathy LuAnn, Mike, Joe, Susie and their families. Minnie was a lovely lady. May God bless you, Ann L. Friend Crider

    Reply

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