Edward Deere

Edward Deere was born February 22, 1922 in Lexington, TN to Sylvester and Daisy (Todd) Deere. He died Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at his home in Portageville, MO at the age of 94 years, 10 months and 26 days. 

In 1949 in Hayward, MO he married Edna Mae Downing who survives of the home. Mr. Deere farmed until 1972 when he purchased the TeRoy Motel which he owned and operated for over 30 years. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church where he was active in the Methodist Men’s group. Mr. Deere was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the Portageville Masonic Lodge for more than 50 years. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and attending the sporting events of his grandchildren.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Daisy (Todd) Deere and Sylvester Deere, his daughter; Janet Deere in 1969, one son, Dr. James Deere in 2014, brothers, William Roy Deere and Lewis B. Deere, sister, Irene (Deere) Buck and son-in-law, Johnny Davis.

He leaves to cherish his memories Edna Mae Deere, his wife of sixty seven years, his sons, Dennis (Joann) Deere of Cape Girardeau, MO, Steve Deere of Sikeston, MO, daughter: Mary Kay Davis of New Madrid, MO, daughter-in-law: Sheilah Deere of Sikeston, MO, sister; Jewell Burgess of Hayward, MO, 10 grandchildren, Travis Edward, Jason Howard, Brad, Justin, Jessica, Evan Deere, Jana Davis Lamanna, Jaime Davis Motter, Andrew and Deanna Deere. 8 great-grandchildren; Samuel Edward, Thomas Allen and William Whittman Deere, John Corbett Lamanna, Davis Edward Motter, Mary Ellis Motter, Drew and Jewelya Deere and a host of  many other relatives and friends.

Private First Class Edward Deere was a combat veteran of the United States Army in the European Theater of Operations during WWII. Private Deere was a gunner on an M-18 Hellcat tank destroyer assigned to the 419th armored field artillery of the 10th Armored Division, serving under such notable leaders as General George Patton and Colonel Creighton Abrams. He began his training at Fort Benning, GA in 1942. His unit arrived in Cherbourg France on September 23, 1944 and saw their first combat against the 17th SS regiment in Vionville, France on November 2, 1944 for which he was awarded his first Bronze Star. They also participated in the capture of Metz, for the first time in 1500 years, during George Pattons Third Army Blitz through France to the German Border and the Siegfried Line. On November 20, 1944 his unit crossed the border into Germany at Schendorf. While refitting in Luxembourg the battle of the bulge began on December 16, 1944 and his unit saw heavy rear guard action as they fought to prevent being cut off by the Germans. It was around this time that Private Deere was awarded his second Bronze Star. In February they supported the push to cross the Saar River in Germany via assault boats, and then proceeded to capture Trier intact where he was awarded his third and final Bronze Star. In March and April of 1945 they succeeded in the capture of the Germans towns of Houten, Wittlich, Kaiserlauter, Frankenstein and Landau. By the end of the War in Europe this 800 man unit had fired over 40,000 rounds of artillery. Private Deere arrived back in the United States on August 19, 1945.

Services were held Friday, January 20, 2017 at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Barron Willer officiating and full military rites. Interment followed at Portageville Cemetery. His grandchildren served as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made in his memory to the First United Methodist Church of Portageville.

Please send condolences to the family online at www.delislefuneralhome.net.