White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Independence – Rodger Curtis Derr, 85 years old, of rural Independence, Iowa, died on Saturday, November 29, 2014, at his home.  He was born February 19, 1929, in Independence, Iowa, the second son of Charles Curtis and Laura Mae (Hamilton) Derr. He graduated from Independence High School in 1946, worked on the family farm, and then served four years as an aviation mechanic in the United States Navy.  On August 24, 1952, he and Eleanor Jean Roever were married at St. John’s LutheranChurch in Clarksville, Iowa.  Mr. Derr worked several years as a plumber and electrician at Elm Park Plumbing and Heating, followed by a long career as Maintenance Engineer and Director of Plant Services at Peoples’ Memorial Hospital, in Independence.  He will also be remembered as a grower of produce for local vegetable markets.  He was a member of ImmanuelLutheran Church in Independence.

Mr. Derr is survived by his daughter, Claudette (David) Hayward of Columbus, Indiana, and three sons, Randall (Debra) Derr of Bellbrook, Ohio, Curtis (Sherrie) Derr of Kuna, Idaho, and Steven (Michele) Derr of Richmond Hill, Georgia, six grandchildren, and two brothers, Charles (Wilma) Derr of Fairfield, Iowa, and Gordon (Glenys) Derr of Independence, Iowa.  He was preceded in death by his wife and his parents.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial gifts may be given to Immanuel Lutheran Church or SmileTrain.