White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Independence – Gordon W. Derr, 84 years old, of rural Independence, Iowa, died on Thursday, February 19, 2015, at his home.  He was born on August 28, 1930, on the farm where he died, the son of Charles Curtis and Laura Mae (Hamilton) Derr.  He graduated from high school in Independence with the Class of 1948.  During the Korean Conflict, he serviced with the U.S. Marine Corps.  On September 21, 1956, he and the former Glenys Marie Ralston were married in Independence.  Mr. Derr farmed all of his life.  He also drove a school bus in Independence for several years.  He was a member of the 1^st United Methodist Church in Independence and the Bechter-Boies V.F.W. Post #2440.  He enjoyed his family, mushroom hunting, socializing over coffee with his friends, and collecting toy tractors and farm machinery.

Mr. Derr is survived by his wife of 58 years, Glenys, 2 daughters, Lori (Dennis) Hildebrand of Newton, Iowa, and Debra (Norman) Mills of Independence, and 1 son, Doug (Lori) Derr of Independence.  He is also survived by 4 grandchildren, Nick Derr, Kimberly Derr, Krista (Mark) Sigel, and Kevin Mills, and 1 brother, Charles (Kay) Derr of Fairfield, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents and 1 brother, Rodger Derr.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, February 23, 2015, at the 1^st United Methodist Church in Independence with Rev. Scott Meador officiating.  Burial will be in Wilson Cemetery.  Friends may call for visitation from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22^nd, at the White Funeral Home in Independence where a Military Service begins at 4:40 p.m.

A Memorial Fund has been established for the 1^st United Methodist Church, 313 2^nd Str. S.E., Independence, Iowa, 50644, and the Alzheimer’s Association, 317 7^th Ave. S.E. #402, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 52401.