Donald Duane Derke

Don was born on May 6th, 1943 to Alvin & Tillie Derke and unexpectedly on June 29th, 2019 he went to be with his Lord and reunite with his wife Janet. He was a loving & devoted father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.

He was a lifelong resident of the Bath Community. He graduated in 1961 where he was active in FFA and achieved many awards with FFA. He was a member of the 1960 Bath Men’s basketball Class D State Championship team.

He married Janet Bennett on January 12th, 1963 and had 45 wonderful years of marriage. They resided in the home in which he designed and built on a 60 acre farm in Bath.

He retired from the State of Michigan – Department of Transportation, was an avid farmer for 30 years and a member of Emanuel First Evangelical Lutheran Church since 1943. Throughout his membership he served on the Church council, the properties board, the budget planning team and the Tuesday Old Timers. The last 10 years he was the financial Treasurer for the church.

He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; in-laws, Ray & Jean Bennett; brother. Gary (Maryam); brothers in-law, Jerry Tarrant, Joe Sump and Walt Bennett. Surviving are his four children, Brian (Denise) of Laingsburg, Barry of Bath, Brenda (Mike) Clisch of Bath and Tilly (Dan) Willard of Bath; 14 grandchildren, Brandon, Connor, Joshua, Justin, Cassandra (James), Jessalin (John), Dylan, Scott, Rachelle (Travis), Joshua (Andrea), Kellie (Paul), Kim, Kristen and Michael (Kari); 16 great-grandchildren; sisters, Janet Tarrant and Shirley Derke; brother-in-law, Paul (Rhonda) Bennett; sister-in-law, Judy Sump; and several loving nieces, nephews and friends.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Heart Association, 2469 Woodlake Drive, Suite 100, Okemos, MI 48864 or Emanuel First Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Visitation at Gorsline Runciman East Chapel, 1730 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing, Sunday from 4-8 p.m. and at Emanuel First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1001 N. Capitol Ave., Lansing 48906, Monday, July 8 from 10 a.m. until service at 11 a.m.

Burial will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Bath.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.greastlansing.com