William J. DeRew

William J. “Bill” DeRew, 87, of Annawan, passed away Tuesday, August 8, 2017, at his home, surrounded by his family. A Memorial Mass will be Wednesday, August 16 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Annawan at 10:00 a.m. Father S. Stephen Engelbrecht will officiate. Inurnment will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Annawan. Military honors will be accorded by the United States Marine Corps. Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. August 15 at Vandemore Funeral Home & Crematory in Atkinson. A Rosary will be recited at 4:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be left to the William DeRew Memorial Fund. Cremation rites have been accorded.

Bill was born on February 8, 1930, the son of John and Eugenia (Galle) DeRew in Prophetstown, IL. Bill graduated from R.O.W.V.A. High School. He joined the United States Marine Corps in 1951 and served until 1953. He married Barbara J. Bachman on February 5, 1955, in Kewanee, IL. Bill was a lifelong farmer in the Woodhull area, before moving to Geneseo where he continued to farm. He was also a feed salesman for a short time. Bill and Barbara were members of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He enjoyed fishing, deer hunting, and spending time tending his garden. Bill was also a member of the 40 & 8.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Barbara, of 62 years; son, Michael (Doreen) DeRew, Geneseo, IL; and daughter, Chris (Stephen) Sellon, Vero Beach, FL. Bill has six grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. His sister is Dolores (Wayne) Kapple, Hot Springs, AR.  He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, John and Eugenia. 

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