Ken DeFrates, 84, of Jacksonville, IL, died Thursday, May 26, 2022, at Springfield Memorial Hospital. He was born Oct. 19, 1937, in Jacksonville, the son of Paul Winfield and Lucille R. Day DeFrates. He married Anna Theodorakis on Sept. 10, 1961, in Jacksonville and she preceded him in death on Jan. 26, 2021. He is survived by one daughter, Melanie Smith of Jacksonville; one son, Aaron (Esmeralda) DeFrates of Naperville; three grandchildren, Bailey Ann Campbell of Jacksonville, and Joshua Kenneth DeFrates and Benjamin Joseph DeFrates, both of Naperville. He was preceded in death by one brother, Dale DeFrates; and one sister, Marilyn Reynolds. Mr. DeFrates was a 1955 graduate of Jacksonville High School. He then attended Illinois College for two years before serving in the U.S. Army. Upon his discharge, he returned to I.C. and graduated in 1963. He taught at Meredosia-Chambersburg High School for six years, attending Western Illinois University and earning a Masters Degree in 1969. Ken then went to work for the State of Illinois, managing the Department of Employment Security office in Jacksonville. He later served as Regional Program Manager throughout Central Illinois, retiring in 1998. He was a longtime member of Northminster Presbyterian Church, and currently attended Centenary United Methodist Church. A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, June 5, 2022, at the Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville, with burial at Diamond Grove Columbarium. There will be an informal visitation 1-2 p.m. prior to the service. Memorials are suggested to Illinois Valley Lutherans for Life or to the Spirit of Faith Soup Kitchen. Condolences may be left at buchanancody.com. . Visitation Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home, Jacksonville Chapel Sunday, June 05, 2022 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM 1100 Lincoln Ave. Jacksonville, Illinois 62650 Memorial Service Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home, Jacksonville Chapel Sunday, June 05, 2022 2:00 PM 1100 Lincoln Ave. Jacksonville, Illinois 62650