Dana Derhammer

Dana Harris Derhammer, aged 95, of Shelbyville, passed away on Wednesday, December 19, 2007. He was born in Kalamazoo on September 6, 1912, and lived most of his life there. He was retired after 40 years from the St. Regis Paper Company out of the Chicago Sales Office. Survivors are his wife of 72 years of marriage, Florence (Rose); children, Dana Lee (Joyce) Derhammer and Dianne Downing; grandchildren and spouses, Julie (Turnes) and Rafeal Matamoros, Scott and Norma Miller, Nicole (Downing) and Ali Harris, Dawn (Derhammer) Brian Weaver, Marcia (Derhammer) and Steve Corning, Gwen (Derhammer) David Smith, Tammy Mac Lean, Christina and Craig Nadrasik; sister-in-law, Lucy Rose; first cousins, James Bock and Roger Bock. He was also blessed with 27 great-grandchildren and 28 great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his beloved sister, Pauline Johnson; parents, Alba and Merlie Derhammer; brother-in-law, Robert Rose. He was a legendary competitor in a variety of sports, especially basketball and baseball. He was a superstar in YMCA and City League competitors. He told about playing semi-pro basketball against Babe Ridriksen (1920's Olympic Tennis Player). In baseball semi-pro he played against Henry Aaron, Neil Berry and Charlie Maxwell. Jack Moss (Kalamazoo Gazette Reporter) was a good friend and wrote many articles about him. One of his most amazing accomplishments as an athlete was on February 16, 1943 when he scored 71 points for Louies Restaurant City League. In his later years he coached woman's basketball and officiated in basketball and baseball. The most important things he did was always being there for all so many grandchildren at every sporting events, birthdays, and being at every dance for his son, Dana, the Silverton Band, and always helping his daughter, Dianne. Funeral Services in celebration of his life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday at the funeral home with Rev. David Struyk officiating. Interment in Mountain Home Cemetery, Otsego. Memorials may be made to Heartland Hospice of Kalamazoo or Community Christian Reformed Church in Wyoming, MI. The family will greet relatives and friends 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Arrangements by: Archer, Hampel & Kubiak Funeral Home Wayland Chapel (269) 792-2237