Michael David DeForest, 79, of Galesburg, Ill., died peacefully Saturday, January 16, 2026 at 6:45 a.m. at Marigold Health Care and Rehab.
Mike was born October 22, 1946 in Galesburg, Ill., the son of LaVergne DeWitt and Dorothy Jane (Daley) DeForest. After high school, Mike served in the US Navy aboard the USS Neptune from September 18, 1967 until he was honorably discharged on December 9, 1968. Mike attended St. Ambrose University for two years and graduated from Western Illinois University with a degree in criminal justice. Mike went on to serve a 30-year career with the Galesburg Police Department from January 1, 1971 until retiring as a Captain on July 1, 2001. He went on to teach criminal justice at Galesburg High School and worked as an outbound yard master for Burlington Northern/Sante Fe for 9 years. Not one to slow down, Mike worked as a part-time delivery driver for O’Reilly Auto Parts for 14 years.
Mike married Lana L. Christie on May 16, 1970. Together they had four children. She preceded him in death on July 28, 1992. Mike later married Deborah Poole (Benbow) Henderson on March 13, 1998 in Galesburg. Mike is survived by his wife, Debbie of Galesburg; four children, Melissa (Bobby) Katzenberger of Fayetteville, N.C.; Jennifer (Jim) Heilmann of Las Vegas, Nev., Andrea (Randy) Tenley of Arizona, Patrick (Jennifer) DeForest of Honolulu, Hawaii; two stepchildren, Eric (Melissa Swanson) Henderson of Galesburg and Ann (Andrew) Boyden of Virginia Beach, Va.; and three brothers, Kevin (Kathryn) DeForest of Knoxville, Ill., Dennis (Karen) DeForest of Hamilton, Ind., and Shawn (Amy) DeForest of Lexington, N.C. Mike is also survived by three grandchildren, Gillian, Gretchen, and Jordan; and five step grandchildren, Elizabeth, Grace, Scott, Matthew, and Joshua. Mike is also survived by his four-legged loyal companions, Triton Poe, Sophie Blu, Jett, and Muffin. Mike is also preceded in death by two brothers, Patrick and Brian; and one sister, Terri Hausvick.
Mike and Debbie enjoyed many years wintering in Florida, boating on the Mississippi River and Oak Run and riding their motorcycle. Mike was an accomplished competition shooter, enjoyed playing tennis, and scuba diving. Mike earned his pilot’s license and owned three different airplanes. He enjoyed owning a corvette and was a former president and longtime member of Glass Favorite’s Corvette Club and was a 20-year member of the Blue Knights Motorcycle Club. He served as secretary of IPA Blackhawk Division, was a member of Knights of Columbus 4th Degree, Knoxville American Legion Post 749 and Elks Lodge B.P.O.E. #894.
Cremation will be accorded. Visitation will be 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, January 24, 2026 at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, with funeral services following at noon. Father Jeffrey Stirniman will officiate. Burial with military rites will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Galesburg. Memorial contributions may be made to the Knox County Humane Society. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.