Jack Hayner DeFoe

Jack was born on May 5, 1930 in Hastings, MI, the son of Doris Irene (Roberts) and Forest Yarger and Max H. DeFoe. He attended Hastings High School and was in the graduating class of 1948. Jack proudly served his country in the United States Army.

Jack married his love, Gayla, on October 14, 1961. Together, they built a strong family that was founded on love.

Jack graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor's degree in engineering and worked as a professional engineer for the Michigan Department of Transportation for over 40 years. While there, he earned his masters degree from MSU. He was excellent with technology and always kept up to date with the latest. In his free time, he loved to fish and woodwork. He helped build a house off the campus of MSU in East Lansing and built the addition to his current home. Jack and Gayla were on bowling leagues, one being Royal Scot's. They loved to travel to new places together. Jack was also a member of the American Legion Post #0225 in Bath. Jack loved to attend church potlucks, play euchre with family and friends, have pool parties and cookouts, camp, and go to any type of family or friends’ gathering. In the morning, you would find Jack at the McDonald's in Dewitt, socializing with the retired crew. Jack's favorite thing most of all, was his family. The day he became a dad and then a grandfather, his life became that much brighter.

Jack is survived by his children, Rick Post, Michael DeFoe, and Lisa (Mark) Wehner; grandchildren, Brianna Wehner, Jazmine Wehner, Lukas Wehner, Ashlie (Jason) Clubb, Justin Dykstra, Bryan Post, and Amanda Bauer; great-grandchildren, Milana Molitor, Veronica Clubb, Justin Dykstra Jr., Jaelynn Dykstra, Alayna Nelson, and Haylee Post.

Jack is preceded in death by his wife, Gayla Yvonne DeFoe; daughter, Rockie A. Smallacombe; and his parents Doris Irene (Roberts) Yarger and Max H. DeFoe.

A visitation for Jack will be held 12PM July 9, 2023 at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, Tiffany Chapel, 3232 W. Saginaw St., Lansing 48917. A memorial service will take place at 2PM at the funeral home. A reception will follow the service at the funeral home.

A committal service will be held 12PM July 28, 2023 at Dewitt Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in Jack's memory may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or St. Jude's Children Hospital.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the compassionate caregivers at Serene Gardens, VNA Homecare and Hospice, Avalon Physician Group, Sparrow Hospital, the local area ambulance transport services, Clinton Transit-Blue Bus, and everyone who helped take care of Jack during this time.