Twila J. Derr

Twila Jean Derr was born in New Point, Missouri on October 7, 1932. She was the daughter of Raymond Jackson Kunkel and Annie Laurie (Edwards) Kunkel.

Twila graduated from New Point High School, and then attended Maryville State Teachers College.

On March 12, 1952 she married Edward G. “Bud” Derr in Oregon, Missouri. She immediately became a mother figure to Bud’s son and daughter. Twila worked as a telephone operator for the Oregon telephone company.

Bud passed away in 1993. Twila passed away on Wednesday August 25, 2021 at the Oregon Care Center. She was also preceded in death by her parents; brother, Chester Kunkel; sisters, Nancy Long and Merrianne Cain; and two infant siblings.

Survivors include her children, G.W. (Dixie) Derr, and Elizabeth (Robert) Nickols, all of St. Joseph, Missouri; brothers, Byron Kunkel and Jack Kunkel; four grandchildren, Brad (Deena) Derr, Bridgit Patterson, Mark Nickols, and Jill (Rune) Haug; seven great grandchildren, Cutler (Karley) Derr, Garrett (Rebecca) Derr, Colby and Micaela Patterson, Hunter Nickols, and Tyler and Avery Haug; sister-in-law, Ann E. Derr; and nieces and nephews.

Twila and Bud played active roles in Oregon community. She was a member of the Oregon United Methodist Church and served on the Maple Grove Cemetery Board. Twila enjoyed collecting antiques and Heavilin woven baskets.

Services: 11:00 am, Saturday, August 28, 2021, United Methodist Church, Oregon, Missouri.  Family will greet friends beginning at 10:00 am at the church. Private family inurnment: Maple Grove Cemetery. Memorials: Maple Grove Cemetery Association. Care entrusted to Chamberlain Funeral Home, Oregon. Online condolences may be left at www.chamberlainfuneral.com .