Janet Lee Derr, age 91, passed away surrounded by family on January 27, 2026.
She was born January 17, 1935 in Ashland, Ohio. She graduated from Ashland High School in 1953. In the beginning, she worked at Weiss Drug, Gerald Studio, Gerwig’s, Philway, Ashland Rubber Products, North Electric and then started at F.E. Myer’s in 1968, where she retired in 1996. She eventually met the love of her life, George Derr, and got married on December 10th, 1975. They had just recently celebrated their 50th Anniversary. She lived a long, full life marked by laughter, strength, and deep devotion to the people she loved.
She was wonderfully stubborn, strong-willed, and known for saying the darndest things, often without even realizing how funny she was. Her sense of humor was effortless and genuine, and she had a way of making people laugh when they needed it most. Those laughs, those comments, and that spark in her personality will forever be missed and lovingly remembered.
She loved spending time with family and friends and truly valued being together. She especially enjoyed playing cards with her friends, where conversation and laughter were just as important as the game itself. She was lovingly known as the scorekeeper of her friend group, always keeping track of every hand, every point, and every playful debate about who was winning. It was one of those little roles that became part of her identity and part of what made time with her so special.
She remained active and involved throughout her life. She enjoyed attending tai chi, spent many years line dancing, and loved participating in activities at the Council on Aging in Ashland, where she stayed connected with her community and built many friendships. She believed in showing up, staying active, and staying connected to the people around her.
At the center of her life is her husband, George Derr. They built a life together not in big perfect moments, but in thousands of small, ordinary ones that added up to something extraordinary. Morning coffee, shared meals, quiet evenings, inside jokes, and years of standing side by side no matter what came their way. Loving her was never something he took lightly, and loving him was something she never stopped doing. Their love was steady, faithful, and deeply rooted, the kind of love that shows up every single day. The kind of love that holds hands when words are not enough and stays even when things are hard. What they shared was real, and it will always be one of the most beautiful parts of her story.
She is survived by her loving husband, George Derr; sister, Susan (Mike) Gould; children,
Mike (Lynn) Haun, Gary Haun, Georganne (Bob) Stevenson, Linda Schuck, Georgeanna (Dick) Turske, Barb Nickles, Cathy Bush, Ed (Judy) Derr, Dorine (Ed) Garbash, Rosemary Derr, and Angela Derr. She is also survived by many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren who were blessed to be part of her life.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Mabel Covert; Step Father, Arthur Hiner; sister, Marilyn Copus; daughter, Susan Derr; daughter-in-law, Becky Haun; sons-in-law Ron Schuck and John Bush; grandson, Sandy Rush; great granddaughter, Amara Rose Evans.
She will be remembered for her humor, her strength, her loving heart, and the way she made people feel welcome and cared for. Her life lives on in every story told around a card table, every laugh shared in her memory, and every life she touched with her kindness.
She was deeply loved and will be forever missed.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. in the First United Methodist Church with Vicar Derek Kubilus and Reverend Tom Snyder presiding. Following the service a meal and time of fellowship will be in the Dauch Fellowship Hall. Family and friends may visit one hour prior to the service from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the church. Interment will be in the Nashville Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Gentiva Hospice or First United Methodist Church.
For those unable to attend online condolences may be shared on the funeral home’s website at denbowfh.com.
Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted to handle the arrangements.
Funeral Home: Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home
Website: denbowfh.com