Derwood L. "Woody" Derickson age 85 of O'Fallon IL, born May 24, 1937 passed away July 10, 2022 at Memorial Hospital in Shiloh, IL.

He grew up in Mascoutah, IL where he graduated from Mascoutah High School, and attended McKendree University where he graduated and went to the University of Indiana and received a Master's Degree in Biology. While attending McKendree, Woody had a celebrated Baseball career that led him to be drafted to the New York Mets Baseball Team in their AAA Club, then to the Cincinnati Reds AAA Club, where he eventually made his way back to St. Louis to be picked up by the St. Louis Cardinals AAA Baseball Team.

After several years, Woody left baseball and became a Biology Teacher in Waverly, IL and then in Mascoutah, IL where he was a teacher and a coach. In 1965, Woody left teaching and was appointed an Insurance Agency with State Farm Insurance in O'Fallon, IL.  Providing loyal insurance to many in our community, he retired in 2018 with 53 years of Service to State Farm Insurance to the community. His accolades with State Farm are numerous, including the President's Club Award, which puts him the top 50 Agencies in the United States. While serving on multiple committees within State Farm, he also achieved Ambassador's Club, Crystal Excellence, Legion of Honor and the Agent of the Month Award for all his contributions and success in his career. Woody was also a Certified Life Underwriter (CLU), an Ambassador Travel Qualifier, and is a among very small group of Agents that have received many of these awards. He was admired by fellow agents all over the United States and knew someone everywhere he and Gail went and is still friends with many of them to this day.

In the O'Fallon community, Woody remained an active member of the Rotary Club and the Lions Club (which was founded by him and a team of O'Fallon residents in his office, as legend has it). He served on many committees during his time in O'Fallon. Serving on the O'Fallon Community Library Board, O'Fallon/Shiloh Chamber of Commerce, YMCA Board Member, The O'Fallon Optimist Club, The O'Fallon Jaycee's, The O'Fallon Bass Club, O'Fallon Rotary Club and served on the O'Fallon Grade School Board as well as President of the O'Fallon Historical Society, Ducks Unlimited, and served under O'Fallon Mayor Graham's term as a fundraiser to both the Katy Cavins Community Center and the YMCA which he was instrumental in fundraising to get both the Katy Cavins Center and the YMCA in O'Fallon.

As a McKendree graduate, he remained a loyal fan and member of the McKendree Bearcat Boosters Club, served as a member of McKendree University Board of Trustees for 16 years, and was the recipient of the 1999 McKendree University Loyal Service Award. In 2015, Woody was inducted into McKendree's Sports Hall of Fame for his outstanding baseball career while at McKendree.

In 2021, Woody received The McKendree University Peter Akers Award, which is the highest Alumni Honor for professional success, outstanding service and loyalty to the College and his community.

Woody and Gail spent over 10 years boating at Kentucky Lake; it was their getaway with family and friends who have many stories to share about their time in Kentucky. They traveled extensively around the world and would visit the East Coast of the United States every fall. They both enjoyed the Mystic, CT area for many years, until they found Bradenton, FL where they had a place to visit and spent many years in that area with family and friends. In the meantime, Woody always enjoyed his frequent fly-fishing trips to Rock Bridge Trout Lodge in Mid-MO with his buddies.

Woody and his wife Gail were married for 62 years and have two children.  Surviving are his loving wife, Gail, two children, Todd (Lisa) Derickson, of Wildwood, MO and Teri (Brian) Fleshren of Belleville, IL, grandchildren Erin Fleshren, Drew Derickson and Kristin Fleshren;  brothers Dave (Jane) Derickson and Tom Derickson as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents John and Violet Derickson of Mascoutah, IL.

Memorial donations would be appreciated to McKendree University Bearcat Boosters .

Online guestbook is available at www.wfh-ofallon.com .

The family would like to extend the warmest of appreciation to The Colonnade Senior Living Facility in O'Fallon, IL, Memorial Hospital 5 ^th Floor Nursing Team in Shiloh, IL and Hospice of Southern Illinois for all of their unwavering support and care provided to Woody.

Visitation will be 3 – 8 pm, Friday, July 15, 2022 at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, 102 W. Washington St., O'Fallon, IL, and after 10 am, Saturday, at the church.

Funeral Service will begin at 11 am, Saturday, July 16, 2022 at O'Fallon First United Methodist Church, 504 E. Highway 50, O'Fallon, IL, with Rev. Phil Gardner and Rev. Brad Lewis officiating.  Livestreaming will be available via the church's website .