Robert John Dery, Sr.

DERY, Robert John, Sr. - age 79, of Fenton, died Wednesday, July 13, 2005 at Mid-Michigan Medical Center in Midland. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30AM Saturday, July 16, 2005 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 600 N. Adelaide St., Fenton. Rev. Fr. David W. Harvey celebrant. Interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery, Fenton, where military honors will be performed under the auspices of Fenton V.F.W. Curtis-Wolverton Post #3243. Visitation will be held at Sharp Funeral Homes; Fenton Chapel, 1000 Silver Lake Road, Fenton on Thursday from 5-9PM and Friday 1-4 and 6-9PM, where a vigil service will be held at 7:00 PM Friday, and 9:30 AM until time of service at the church Saturday. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to Hitchcock Memorial Scholarship Fund, Fenton Alumni Scholarship Fund or the St. John G.I.F.T. Campaign. Mr. Dery was born June 2, 1926 in Fenton, the son of John Henry and Irene Belle (Boilore) Dery. He was a 1943 graduate of Fenton High School. Mr. Dery was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving during World War II. He was a graduate of Michigan State University where he received his bachelors degree and masters degree in School Administration. Mr. Dery married Joan Hitchcock on July 16, 1949 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Fenton, and she preceded him in death July 23, 2002. He taught in Eaton Rapids Schools for three years after his graduation and then taught in Fenton Schools for two years. Mr. Dery was an independent insurance agent for 42 years, he owned and operated the Hitchcock Dery Insurance Agency that his grandfather-in-law, Frederick H. Hitchcock founded in 1904 and served as its President for over 30 years. He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church  Fenton, Member of K of C,Ushers Club, Fenton Kiwanis, Spring Meadows Country Club, Past President of: the Fenton XX Club, Fenton Little League Baseball, Fenton Jaycees, Fenton Community Fund and Fenton High School Alumni Association. Board of Governors of Fenton Community Center for 29 years, Director at State Bank for 29 years including 5 years as Chairman of the Board. Member of the Hundred Club of Flint. Served on the City of Fenton Planning Commission, Election Commission and the Board of Review. Surviving are: four children, Janet Peugeot of Ft. Wayne, IN, Dr. William H. Dery and wife, Barbara of Midland, Lynn and husband, Dr. Alan Charnley of Lapeer, Robert Dery, Jr and wife, Deborah of Livonia; nine grandchildren, Caroline, John, and Julie Peugeot, Jordan and Michael Dery, Adam (Kelly) and Jason Charnley, Bryan and Andrea Dery. He was also preceded in death by three sisters, Jeanette Dowling , Marie Ritter and Alice Buckingham; two brothers, Conrad and Claude Dery. Friends may view and post online condolences at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com