Edward Derus' Obituary
Edward R. Derus, age 68, passed away at his home on Wednesday, October 21, 2009. He was born in Oshkosh on August 23, 1941, to Hubert and Mary (Lederhofer) Derus. He attended Sacred Heart Grade School and graduated from Oshkosh High School in 1959. He joined the US Army Reserves in 1964 and served with the 44th General Hospital Division. He had worked for the American Can Company, Oshkosh Pattern Works, Neenah Foundry and Valley Pattern Inc. in Menasha. Ed greatly enjoyed gardening, sheepshead, ice-fishing, skiing, ice skating and hunting, which included big-game hunting out West. He was active in the Winnebago County Conservation Club, the Central Wisconsin Auto Collectors Club, Sawdust City Corvette Club, and the Valley Vettes of the Appleton Corvette Club.
Ed married Sharon Wilkinson on December 27, 2004. She survives as does his first wife, Arleene Snyder. Also surviving are his son, Joseph of Oshkosh; his stepsons, Michael (Barbara) Frank of Fond du Lac, Brian Frank of Omro, and Chad (Davina) Wilkinson of Oshkosh; step-grandchildren, Phoenix, Adaya and Dorian Wilkinson; his sisters, Sister Lucianna Derus of Manitowoc; Irene Derus of Omro and Patricia Youngworth of Oshkosh; sister-in-law Lynn Devlin of Omro, brother-in-law, Terry Abrams (Valerie) of Eagle River and a special cousin, Mary Kay Jiricka of Milwaukee, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many very dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant son, David.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, October 26, 2009 in St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, (Sacred Heart Site) the corner of Knapp St. and 6th Avenue in Oshkosh. The Reverend Fr. William Vande Kreeke will be the celebrant. Private burial will take place in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Friends may greet the family at the church on Monday from 3:00 p.m. until the time of Mass. The family would like to thank Dr. John Hansen and his staff at St. Luke's Hospital in Milwaukee. Thank you also to Dr. Kevin Green and Dr. James Wright for their excellent care of Ed.
Poklasny Funeral Home
870 W. South Park Ave.
Oshkosh
920-235-1170
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