John William Derrough

John William Derrough was born Nov 4th, 1933 to William Francis and Gertrude (Feight) Derrough. Tired of his orneriness, his mama sent him to school when he was four years old. Once there, a harried teacher gathered the younger children and announced they were all in first grade. Four years old and in first grade. John was ahead of the game from there on out!

John graduated from Milo High School in Warren County in 1951 and married his high school sweetheart, Mary Ellen Brown, in 1952 on Thanksgiving day.

Through his life, John worked as a farmhand, a salesman, an exterminator, and a self-employed carpet installer. He also owned two duplexes. John and Ellen resided in Des Moines, Iowa.

John was glad that he was able to experience a time when a man’s word and handshake were dependable. Dirt roads, a one room schoolhouse, outside toilet, well water, chopping wood and using the kitchen range for both cooking and heat shaped John into the man who he was. That and walking uphill both to and from school. He always remembered his father’s words of wisdom as he moved into a tiny apartment with Ellen, “Come for dinner any Sunday, but don’t ever think of moving back in!”

John enjoyed a large garden, making wren houses, and was always willing to help a friend. He taught Sunday School and CYC and served many years on the board of Grace Wesleyan Church. He loved to feed the squirrels, birds and deer.

John’s three siblings, Dana Allen, Gerald Derrough and Rosemary Barton preceded him death. He is survived by Ellen with whom he celebrated 70 years of marriage on November 27th, 2022. Together they had three children, Deb (Jim) McCasland, Cheryl Johnson, and John (Jeannine) Derrough. After Deb’s death they took Lori McCasland as a daughter into their hearts. They have eleven grandchildren: Matthew McCasland, Joel Derrough, Diane Paul, Michael Johnson, Amanda Derrough, Megan Austin, Kelsey Goins, Laura McCasland, Heather Hannah, Ben McCasland, and Kristi McCasland and seventeen great grandchildren.

Memorial Service will begin at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, December 17, 2022 at Radiant Church, 1300 Metro E Dr. #106, in Pleasant Hill. There will be a time of food and fellowship with the family at the church immediately following the service.

Memorial gifts can be given to either Radiant Church, 1300 Metro E Dr #106, Pleasant Hill, IA 50327, or Arms of Hope, 7065 Love, Quinlan, TX 75474.

Print