Official Obituary of
Kenneth E. Derr
June 16, 2014
Kenneth Derr Obituary
NORTHUMBERLAND — Kenneth E. Derr, 98, of Libeck Road, passed away Monday, June 16, 2014, at Nottingham Village, Northumberland.
He was born May 17, 1916, in Lewisburg, a son of the late John W. Derr and the former Millie A. Bennett. On Sept. 28, 1940, in Wincester, Va., he married the former Kathryn Heckert who passed away March 19, 2006 breaking a marital bond of 65 years.
Ken attended a country school and later served in the Navy during World War II on the USS Charger out of Norfolk, Va.
His first job was delivering newspapers at a very early age. He worked on many farms throughout his life and was very proud of his work ethic. He also worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps in the Hartleton mountain area. For 40-plus years, Ken was a supervisor for Pennsylvania House. Ken and Kathryn ran an evergreen nursery following his retirement.
Ken was a good husband and father. He was very knowledgeable about the history of Lewisburg and Mifflinburg and loved to share this knowledge with his beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well as his friends. He was an active gardener and loved his flowers and flowering shrubs, especially in the springtime. Ken and his wife raised Chihuahuas and he raised Beagles when he was younger. He especially loved spending time with his grand dogs.
He is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Janet M. and Roger K. Biddinger, and Judy A. and John H. Kohl, all of Northumberland; grandchildren, Sam and Lori Biddinger, John Kohl Jr., and Laura and Forrest Potter; great-grandchildren, Brandon Biddinger and companion, Rachel, Sarah Biddinger, Wyatt Kohl, Allen Potter and Austin Potter; one great-great-grandchild, Na’kaya Hill; one sister and brother-in-law, Jean L. and Selin R. Bowersox, of Lewisburg; one sister-in-law, Gladys Heckert, of Lewisburg; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews; and special friends, Gary and Kathy.
Ken was preceded in death by an infant son, Paul Lewis Derr on May 16, 1941; one grandson, Christopher C. Kohl on Aug. 18, 1984; brothers, Marshall, Melvin, Sterling, Benton, John, and infant brother, Ralph Derr; and two sisters, Eleanor Parson and Helen Cornelius.
Friends and family may visit with the family from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Joseph W. Epler Funeral Home, 210 King St., Northumberland, where the funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday with Pastor Larry Keiser officiating.
Burial will follow in Lewisburg Cemetery
He was born May 17, 1916, in Lewisburg, a son of the late John W. Derr and the former Millie A. Bennett. On Sept. 28, 1940, in Wincester, Va., he married the former Kathryn Heckert who passed away March 19, 2006 breaking a marital bond of 65 years.
Ken attended a country school and later served in the Navy during World War II on the USS Charger out of Norfolk, Va.
His first job was delivering newspapers at a very early age. He worked on many farms throughout his life and was very proud of his work ethic. He also worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps in the Hartleton mountain area. For 40-plus years, Ken was a supervisor for Pennsylvania House. Ken and Kathryn ran an evergreen nursery following his retirement.
Ken was a good husband and father. He was very knowledgeable about the history of Lewisburg and Mifflinburg and loved to share this knowledge with his beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well as his friends. He was an active gardener and loved his flowers and flowering shrubs, especially in the springtime. Ken and his wife raised Chihuahuas and he raised Beagles when he was younger. He especially loved spending time with his grand dogs.
He is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Janet M. and Roger K. Biddinger, and Judy A. and John H. Kohl, all of Northumberland; grandchildren, Sam and Lori Biddinger, John Kohl Jr., and Laura and Forrest Potter; great-grandchildren, Brandon Biddinger and companion, Rachel, Sarah Biddinger, Wyatt Kohl, Allen Potter and Austin Potter; one great-great-grandchild, Na’kaya Hill; one sister and brother-in-law, Jean L. and Selin R. Bowersox, of Lewisburg; one sister-in-law, Gladys Heckert, of Lewisburg; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews; and special friends, Gary and Kathy.
Ken was preceded in death by an infant son, Paul Lewis Derr on May 16, 1941; one grandson, Christopher C. Kohl on Aug. 18, 1984; brothers, Marshall, Melvin, Sterling, Benton, John, and infant brother, Ralph Derr; and two sisters, Eleanor Parson and Helen Cornelius.
Friends and family may visit with the family from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Joseph W. Epler Funeral Home, 210 King St., Northumberland, where the funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday with Pastor Larry Keiser officiating.
Burial will follow in Lewisburg Cemetery
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