Eleanor C. DeFer, 94, of Houghton Lake passed away on November 21, 2017 at Lighthouse of Roscommon.
Eleanor was born on October 5, 1923 in Detroit, Michigan to Joseph and Helen (Nszcykwski) Angelo. Eleanor spent her youth in the Detroit area where she graduated from high school. She worked as a laborer for Packard Motor Car and was the first woman at Packard to drive cars onto the car haulers. She played shortstop for the Packard Women’s Baseball team in the Detroit area. Eleanor later owned and operated the Forest Tavern in Gulliver for several years and the Airport Restaurant at Houghton Lake for several years.
Eleanor was married to Raymond DeFer who preceded her in death. She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary and the Elks. Eleanor enjoyed fishing, watching Wheel of Fortune, The Cooking Channel, and M.A.S.H.
Surviving Mrs. Defer are her son, Charles (Kim) Johnston of Houghton Lake; daughter, Helen (John) Holmes of Columbus, OH; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; brother, Anthony (Martha) Tranchida of East Detroit; sister-in-law, Rita Tranchida of Roseville; and several nieces and nephews. Eleanor was preceded in death by her parents; husband Raymond DeFer; daughter, Carol Ann Momberg; and brother, Joe.
Family services will be held for Eleanor C. Defer. Interment will be in Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly, Michigan.
Memorial contributions in memory of Eleanor are asked to be directed to Compasses Hospice. Condolences can be sent to the family online at www.christler-holdship.com.
Christler Funeral Home, Houghton Lake Chapel is serving the family.
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