Gale Deffenbaugh

Gene Dale Deffenbaugh, 98, of Springfield, Mo., died on Tuesday, November 24, 2020, of complications due to COVID-19. He was born on February 12, 1922, in Barnett, Mo., to Lewis Deffenbaugh and Lois (Madole) Deffenbaugh. He attended the Excelsior School near Versailles. On November 29, 1941, eight days before the bombing at Pearl Harbor, he married Naomi Florida Hoskins, who survives at their home. He attended Assembly of God churches in Versailles and Eldon and was a member of Central Assembly of God in Springfield. Gene was a hard-working man who supported his family in a variety of ways. He worked at a shoe factory in Jefferson City during the war, drove trucks, and had a farm near Versailles while his children were young. Later, he operated the Deffenbaugh Oil Company in Eldon, which included a gas station in Eldon and deliveries of gas to marinas and other businesses in the Lake of the Ozarks area. He then purchased a Chevrolet dealership in El Dorado Springs, which became Deffenbaugh Motors. His and Naomi's next enterprise was the 71 Motel in Nevada, Mo. From there, they relocated to Republic, Mo., where they owned a car lot and the Little York Pottery Shop. Finally, they moved to Springfield, where Gene sold used cars until retiring. He had a lifelong love of and extensive knowledge of cars and trucks. While living in Springfield, he and Naomi also bought, renovated, and sold several houses. A family man through and through, there are several instances of Gene's and Naomi's welcoming into their home a young couple or an elderly relative. The focus of his life was the three sons who mourn his loss: Dr. Larry Deffenbaugh and his wife Elizabeth of Carthage; Gary Deffenbaugh and his wife Dr. Carolyn Deffenbaugh of Lohman, and David Deffenbaugh and his wife Kim of Springfield. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Christopher (Meghan) Deffenbaugh, Michelle (Glenn) Jett, Shawn Deffenbaugh (Dr. Sara Deffenbaugh), Melissa Deffenbaugh, Laura (Justin) Klock, and Marissa (Austin) Pendergrass. Gene delighted in his nine great-grandchildren and looked forward to meeting the one due in December. He is also survived by three nieces and two nephews; a sister-in-law, Leanna Hoskins; and a brother-in-law, Basil Kidwell. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Glenn Deffenbaugh; two sisters, Maurine Davenport and June Kidwell; and a brother-in-law, Lloyd Hoskins. Graveside services and interment will be at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 28, at Greenmore Memorial Gardens in Barnett with Rev. Danny Owsley officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Greenmore Memorial Gardens, 22138 Hwy. 52, Barnett, MO 65011-3606. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Kidwell-Garber Funeral Home in Versailles. Expressions of sympathy may be left online at www.kidwellgarber.com.