Celebrating the life of
Edward John Derst, Jr.
September 19, 1922 - January 27, 2009
Savannah - Edward John Derst, Jr., died January 27, 2009 at Hospice Savannah, Inc. He was born in Savannah, September 19, 1922, son of the late Edward John and Veronica Davis Derst. He worked at Derst Baking Company for fifty-six years, retiring as Chairman of the Board Emeritus. He was member of Solomon's Lodge #1, a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason and a charter member of the German Heritage Society. He served for three years in the United States Coast Guard during World War II. Mr. Derst was a loving husband and father, excellent businessman, and generous benefactor to many.
Surviving are his wife of sixty years, Elizabeth Morgan Derst; sons, Edward John Derst, III and his wife, Mildred Deal Derst, David Morgan Derst, daughter, Catherine Derst Miller and her husband, George Edward Miller, Jr., sisters, Josephine Derst Haar, Florence Derst Austin, like a son, Rev. Charles Michael Chastain, eight grandchildren, Edward John Derst, IV, David Boston Derst, Kelly JoAnne Derst, Catherine Courtenay Miller, Elizabeth Courtenay Miller, George Edward Miller, III, Linda MacKenzie Derst and Elizabeth Morgan Derst.
Visitation: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel.
Graveside Service: 10:00 a.m. Thursday, January 29, 2009 in Laurel Grove Cemetery with The Reverend Gavin G. Dunbar, officiating.
Remembrances: In lieu of flowers, please make donations in the name of Edward J. Derst, Jr. to, St. John's Church, 1 West Macon St., Savannah, GA 31401, Hospice Savannah, Inc., P.O. Box 13190, Savannah, GA 31416, The Shriners Crippled Children's Hospital-Tampa Unit, 12502 Pine Dr., Tampa, FL 33612.
Please sign our on-line guestbook at www.foxandweeks.com
Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
Our thoughts and prayers are with you!
- Fran and Glenn Arnsdorff, Savannah, GA
Our sincere sympathy goes to the entire Derst Family.
- Tapp and Joyce Cowart, Savannah, GA, GA
Morgan and Family we are sorry to hear about your dad our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of great loss. Chris and Lisa Gay
- Lisa Gay, Pooler, GA
Morgan, Ed, and family, I was sorry to hear of the loss of your father. I have many fond memories of your Dad while I worked At Derst Company. Knowing your father as a christian man, my sorrow will be short lived as I reflect on his eternity with the Lord. Wayne
- Wayne Sam Woods, Metter, GA
We wish to express sincere condolences to the family upon your sad loss. Mr. Derst was a kind gentleman, whom we will always remember with much appreciation.
- Deborah I. Friedman, President, Save-A-Life, Inc., Savannah, GA
My love and prayer's for you and the family,please take care love gloria and family
- Gloria Goad, savannah, GA
I'm so sorry to hear about Mr. Derst. Please except my condolences and prayers. Bobby, Susan and girls
- Bobby Nunnally, Columbia, SC
We are so sorry to hear of Ed's passing. We will keep you in our prayers.
- Beth and Sid Boone, Savannah, GA
We are so very sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers. May God Bless You, Genell and Dale Hendrix
- Genell and Dale Hendrix, savannah, GA
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this difficult time. Mr Derst will always be remembered fondly in our hearts. -Beth Miller-Darieng, Mickey & Ronnie Miller The children of the late Morris Miller
- Elizabeth Miller Darieng, Richmond Hill, GA
My heartfelt prayers and condolences for the Derst family during this time. Mr. Derst will always have a special place in my memories. A devout leader, a wonderful employer, a devoted loving father. He had a warm and affectionate smile, that always warmed your heart. ~Psalm 23~ In every message of comfort, in every word of concern, in every expression of love may you feel the compassion and caring of a faithful Heavenly Father who knows your every need and will continue to sustain you in the days ahead. In Christian Love, Jan McKim
- Janice Graves McKim, Bluffton, SC
It is with much sadness that we learned of Mr Derst's passing. He was a generous and wonderful Gentleman. Our prayers are with his family.
- Mysterious Santa Program and Jim Wilson, Savannah, GA
My heartfelt prayers and condolences go out to all of the Derst family. Mr. Derst hired me to work at Derst in August of 1967 himself, and I have been closely associated with the whole family since that time. Not only was Mr. Derst my boss, but also a mentor, and friend. I know, and love the boys Edward III, and Morgan, and also Kathy. All of you have been a very important part of my adult life. To Mrs. Derst I know you will miss your companion of 60 years, but know he has gone HOME, and one day we will all be reunited with him, for all eternity. Much love to all of you. You are now and will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. Herb Hilderbrand
- Herb Hilderbrand, Savannah, GA
Edward,Morgan,Cathy & Michael, We are so sorry to hear of your dads passing. Just remember all the good times with him. Our love and prayers to the each of you and the entire family. Frances Thomson Kennedy, Ric & Robin Thomson & Andy & Janet Thomson
- FRANCES THOMSON KENNEDY, REIDSVILLE, GA
Edward and family I am sorry for your loss. May God bless you and your family. Mack and Mary Alice Faulkner
- Mack Faulkner, Beaufort, SC
Morgan, I'm sorry for your loss. My thoughts & prayers are with you. Lisa
- Lisa Purvis, Metter, GA
Betty, I was sorry to see Edward's death notice this morning. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Dot Wallace
- Dorothy C. Wallace, Savannah, GA
Morgan and family, Linda Jo and I are very sorry for your loss, you remain in our prayers.
- Stephen Marinella, Nerw Smyrna Beach, FL
Marsha and I along with the total family at Flowers Bakeries, were saddened to hear of Mr. Derst's passing. He was well known and repsected in our industry for many years and will be missed. He had a reputation of always doing what he said he would do and sincerely cared for his family and the people he served. Please know that you are in our hearts and prayers and we care for you deeply. Gene and Marsha Lord
- Gene Lord, Thomasville, GA
Morgan and Family Im so sorry to hear of your loss. The Bible says to be absent from the body is to be present with the lord. He finally can rest in peace.
- Moe McGray, Daytona Beach Shores, FL
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Mr. Derst was a wonderful man and will be sorely missed.
- Jimmy and Ursla Anestos, Savannah, GA
All my prayers are with the Derst family at this time of sorrow.
- Richard Hester, Savannah, GA
Morgan and Ed, I am sorry for the loss of you dad. He was a great man, who has made a very positive impact on our industry and his community. My prayers are with you and your family. Allen.
- Allen Shiver, Thomasville, GA
WITH DEEPEST SYMPATHY ON THE LOSS OF YOUR HUSBAND. PRAYING FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY DURING THIS DIFFCULT TIME.
- MILLIE ROMAN, SAVANNAH, GA
We are so sorry to hear of Mr. Derst's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with the whole family.
- Fred & Taffy Douglas, Savannah, GA
Edward and Morgan, What a truly great guy your father was! I only knew him as an Exhausted Rooster but he was a pleasure to talk to. My thoughts and prayers are with you, your mom and sister and all of your families during this difficult time. May God deliver the peace that only He can provide. William
- William Barrett, Bluffton, SC
I am so sorry to hear of your husband/father/grandfather's passing. You all are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
- Susan Purvis Reese, Savannah, GA
Debbie and I are thinking of you in this time of loss and sorrow. Sorry we can't be there . Our prayers are with you .
- Mark E. Harrison, Savannah, GA
Our thoughts and prayers are with you!
- Fran and Glenn Arnsdorff, Savannah, GA
Our sincere sympathy goes to the entire Derst Family.
- Tapp and Joyce Cowart, Savannah, GA, GA
Morgan and Family we are sorry to hear about your dad our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of great loss. Chris and Lisa Gay
- Lisa Gay, Pooler, GA
Morgan, Ed, and family, I was sorry to hear of the loss of your father. I have many fond memories of your Dad while I worked At Derst Company. Knowing your father as a christian man, my sorrow will be short lived as I reflect on his eternity with the Lord. Wayne
- Wayne Sam Woods, Metter, GA
We wish to express sincere condolences to the family upon your sad loss. Mr. Derst was a kind gentleman, whom we will always remember with much appreciation.
- Deborah I. Friedman, President, Save-A-Life, Inc., Savannah, GA
My love and prayer's for you and the family,please take care love gloria and family
- Gloria Goad, savannah, GA
I'm so sorry to hear about Mr. Derst. Please except my condolences and prayers. Bobby, Susan and girls
- Bobby Nunnally, Columbia, SC
We are so sorry to hear of Ed's passing. We will keep you in our prayers.
- Beth and Sid Boone, Savannah, GA
We are so very sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers. May God Bless You, Genell and Dale Hendrix
- Genell and Dale Hendrix, savannah, GA
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this difficult time. Mr Derst will always be remembered fondly in our hearts. -Beth Miller-Darieng, Mickey & Ronnie Miller The children of the late Morris Miller
- Elizabeth Miller Darieng, Richmond Hill, GA
My heartfelt prayers and condolences for the Derst family during this time. Mr. Derst will always have a special place in my memories. A devout leader, a wonderful employer, a devoted loving father. He had a warm and affectionate smile, that always warmed your heart. ~Psalm 23~ In every message of comfort, in every word of concern, in every expression of love may you feel the compassion and caring of a faithful Heavenly Father who knows your every need and will continue to sustain you in the days ahead. In Christian Love, Jan McKim
- Janice Graves McKim, Bluffton, SC
It is with much sadness that we learned of Mr Derst's passing. He was a generous and wonderful Gentleman. Our prayers are with his family.
- Mysterious Santa Program and Jim Wilson, Savannah, GA
My heartfelt prayers and condolences go out to all of the Derst family. Mr. Derst hired me to work at Derst in August of 1967 himself, and I have been closely associated with the whole family since that time. Not only was Mr. Derst my boss, but also a mentor, and friend. I know, and love the boys Edward III, and Morgan, and also Kathy. All of you have been a very important part of my adult life. To Mrs. Derst I know you will miss your companion of 60 years, but know he has gone HOME, and one day we will all be reunited with him, for all eternity. Much love to all of you. You are now and will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. Herb Hilderbrand
- Herb Hilderbrand, Savannah, GA
Edward,Morgan,Cathy & Michael, We are so sorry to hear of your dads passing. Just remember all the good times with him. Our love and prayers to the each of you and the entire family. Frances Thomson Kennedy, Ric & Robin Thomson & Andy & Janet Thomson
- FRANCES THOMSON KENNEDY, REIDSVILLE, GA
Edward and family I am sorry for your loss. May God bless you and your family. Mack and Mary Alice Faulkner
- Mack Faulkner, Beaufort, SC
Morgan, I'm sorry for your loss. My thoughts & prayers are with you. Lisa
- Lisa Purvis, Metter, GA
Betty, I was sorry to see Edward's death notice this morning. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Dot Wallace
- Dorothy C. Wallace, Savannah, GA
Morgan and family, Linda Jo and I are very sorry for your loss, you remain in our prayers.
- Stephen Marinella, Nerw Smyrna Beach, FL
Marsha and I along with the total family at Flowers Bakeries, were saddened to hear of Mr. Derst's passing. He was well known and repsected in our industry for many years and will be missed. He had a reputation of always doing what he said he would do and sincerely cared for his family and the people he served. Please know that you are in our hearts and prayers and we care for you deeply. Gene and Marsha Lord
- Gene Lord, Thomasville, GA
Morgan and Family Im so sorry to hear of your loss. The Bible says to be absent from the body is to be present with the lord. He finally can rest in peace.
- Moe McGray, Daytona Beach Shores, FL
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Mr. Derst was a wonderful man and will be sorely missed.
- Jimmy and Ursla Anestos, Savannah, GA
All my prayers are with the Derst family at this time of sorrow.
- Richard Hester, Savannah, GA
Morgan and Ed, I am sorry for the loss of you dad. He was a great man, who has made a very positive impact on our industry and his community. My prayers are with you and your family. Allen.
- Allen Shiver, Thomasville, GA
WITH DEEPEST SYMPATHY ON THE LOSS OF YOUR HUSBAND. PRAYING FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY DURING THIS DIFFCULT TIME.
- MILLIE ROMAN, SAVANNAH, GA
We are so sorry to hear of Mr. Derst's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with the whole family.
- Fred & Taffy Douglas, Savannah, GA
Edward and Morgan, What a truly great guy your father was! I only knew him as an Exhausted Rooster but he was a pleasure to talk to. My thoughts and prayers are with you, your mom and sister and all of your families during this difficult time. May God deliver the peace that only He can provide. William
- William Barrett, Bluffton, SC
I am so sorry to hear of your husband/father/grandfather's passing. You all are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
- Susan Purvis Reese, Savannah, GA
Debbie and I are thinking of you in this time of loss and sorrow. Sorry we can't be there . Our prayers are with you .
- Mark E. Harrison, Savannah, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
