Lawrence Lee

Derks

Lawrence Lee Derks, Sr. was born on the family farm near Ferris, IL on December 30, 1922.

He passed away almost 104 years later on November 10, 2026, on the same farm. Lawrence was the youngest of nine children born to Ira Asa and Mary Ellen (Mabel) Chamblin Derks.

Lawrence graduated from the three-year high school in Ferris and was a senior graduate of Carthage high school in 1940. He attended the University of Illinois for 2 years, hitchhiking to Champaign with a brown paper bag serving as his suitcase. He then enlisted in the Army Air Corps. He married Mary Lucena Long on April 28, 1944, in Hamilton, IL by Rev. H.C. Reichel.

He is survived by their four children, Lawrence Lee (Park) Derks, Jr., Burke, VA, Dixie Ann (Robert) Williamson, Chatham, IL, William Ray (Candy) Derks, Rochester, IL, and Donna Lou (Jack) Myers, Arlington Heights, IL. He is also survived by grandchildren, Ben Williamson, Mary Ann (Todd) Henry, Ira Hanks, Andy (Brandi) Derks, Lucas (Sarah) Williamson, Kim Derks, Miakea (George) Toubekis, Lawrence Lee Derks, III and step grandchildren Kristin (Eric) Riger and Patrick Myers, great grandchildren, Josh and Katie Henry, Mackenzie Derks and Gabrielle Amos, Theoni and Thrassivoulos Toubekis, Cody Williamson, Madison and Drew Derks and step great grandchildren, Ayla and Eliana Riger.

He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, brothers Raymond Derks and Royce Derks, sisters Ethyle Wiedmyer, Juanita Lipper, LaVeta Marquith, Eunice Hillery, Mildred Boone and Doris Wehner.

Lawrence served in the Army Air Corps as an airplane power mechanic and was on the island of Tinian for 11 months. He watched the Enola Gay take off for Japan with the atomic bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima. He was a Staff Sargeant at the time of his discharge on November 24, 1945.

The family’ most memorable vacation was to Florida in 1958, in the new Pontiac with Dad, Mom, Grandma Long, 4 kids and no seat belts. Dad always waited until last, so was always the recipient of a cold shower or dirty bath water.

He retired from farming in 1974. He and his brother, Royce owned and operated Derks’ Superette in Ferris for many years. He was a member of the Burnside Christian Church and the Carthage American Legion Post #74. In later years, he was an avid gardener and enjoyed making apple cider for family and friends. He loved to read and loved his family and very much enjoyed the time he spent with them. He was always good for a ride on the tractor or in the little wagon behind the mower. He also loved the Lord and looked forward to a heavenly home. He will always be loved and missed by his family.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, November 21, 2026, at the Burnside Christian Church in Burnside, Illinois, with burial to follow in Moss Ridge Cemetery in Carthage with military rites. Family will meet friends from 10:00 AM until time of services at 11:00 at the church on Saturday. Memorials may be directed to the Burnside Christian Church or LaMoine Christian Camp. Printy Funeral Home of Carthage is in charge of arrangements.