Gertrude F. Derr, age 93, formerly of N. Water St., Tiffin, and currently of Elmwood at the Shawhan, died at 10:25 pm Friday, December 5, 2008, at Mercy Hospital of Tiffin.
She was born March 17, 1915, in Chicago, to the late Francis H. and Bertha (Swiatynowska) Wisniewski. On June 1, 1941, in Trinidad, West Indies, she married Thomas L. Derr, who died December 29, 1991.
Surviving are three sons, Thomas F. (Rachel) Derr of Olmsted Falls, Ohio, Lewis J.(Kay) Derr of Toledo, Ohio, and Samuel (Luann) Derr of Fremont, Ohio; four daughters, Pauline (David) Gilliespie of Sevierville, Tenn., Marie Grove of Galion, Ohio, Dr. Diane (Terry) Derr Lewis of Toledo, and Ann Candace (William) Risner of Tiffin; fifteen grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren; and a sister, and Florence Knize of Manteca, Calif.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Emily Manley.
Mrs. Derr was a 1933 graduate of Bowen High School in Chicago. She worked for Illinois Bell Telephone Company and for the US Navy and War Bond Departments during World War II.. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church and its Rosary Altar Society and Bereavement Ministry, TAPA, Tiffin Garden Club, Mercy Hospital Auxiliary and Craft Guild, the Allen Eiry Senior Center, and the Tiffin Historical Society.
Funeral Mass will be 1 pm Tuesday, December 9, 2008, at St. Mary Catholic Church, with Rev. Eric Culler officiating. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Friends may call Monday, December 8, from 4 to 8 pm, at Traunero Funeral Home, 214 S. Monroe St., Tiffin, Ohio 44883 (419)447-3113. A Wake Service will be 4 pm Monday at the funeral home. The Rosary will be recited fifteen minutes prior to Mass at the Church.
Memorials may be made to the Tiffin Garden Club or the Covenant House.