Arlys M. Derrick

Arlys M. Derrick, 91, of St. Joseph, passed away after a sudden illness with her family present on Sunday, March 08, 2009 at her home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:30 P.M on Friday, March 13, 2009 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 211 Church St., St. Joseph, MI. Visitation with the family will be from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Thursday, March 12, 2009 with prayers at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI 49085. Burial will take place at Riverview Cemetery, St. Joseph. Memorials may be made out to Lake Michigan Catholic Schools or Hospice at Home. Friends wishing to leave a message of condolence, or to sign the family guest book, may do so at “http://www.starks-menchinger.com”. Arlys was born on May 29, 1917 to Daniel and Alma (Hansen) Allard in Ludington, MI. She was valedictorian of her class at St. Simon’s in Ludington. She joined the staff of the Herald-Press in 1961; and later was the Focus editor with the Herald-Palladium to 1991. She freelanced and wrote the “Cook of the Week” column from 1991 to 2001. The highlight of her press career was the research and award-winning article on the Maids of the Mist fountain in downtown St. Joseph, MI. She was a charter member of the Michigan Press Women. Arlys was an active and longtime member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Joseph. She loved to read; and was always ready to learn new things. Arlys is survived by her children, Richard Derrick II of Benton Harbor, Terri (Paul) Moore of Dowagiac, Deborah (Danny) Gibbs of Walker, MI, Peter (Hope) Derrick of Orcutt, CA, Joan (Warren) Skoda of St. Joseph; eight grand-children; 3 great grand-children; brothers and sisters, Daniel Allard of Ludington, Betty Boone of Muskegon, Robert (Vernita) Allard of Ludington, William (Alice) Allard of Bradenton, FL, and Paul (Sandy) Allard of Spring Hill, FL and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Richard in April 28, 2001, her parents, Daniel and Alma and her brother, John.