Elizabeth "Betty" Sue (Balla) Derr

     Mrs. Elizabeth Sue "Betty" (Balla) Derr, 99, formerly of the Hanover Green section of Hanover Township, passed peacefully into eternal life early Wednesday morning while in the care of Allied Services Meade Street Skilled Nursing Unit, where she resided for the past few years.

     Born on Sunday, March 18, 1923 in Wilkes-Barre, she was the last of three daughters to the late John D. and Susan (Balla) Balla.  Educated in the Hanover schools, she was a member of the 1941 graduating class of the former Hanover Memorial High School.

     In her youth, she was employed with Morris' Grocery Store on River Road in South Wilkes-Barre; worked in the gift shop at Mercy Hospital, both formerly of South Wilkes-Barre; and also volunteered her time with the local Meals on Wheels program.

     Devoted to her faith, she was previously a member of Saint Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church, North Wilkes-Barre, where she served with the ladies of the Dorcas Guild for several years.  At the time of her passing, she had been an active member for over 40 years of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Wilkes-Barre; where she served on the altar guild.

     Later in life Mrs. Derr did not sit idly by.  She then took employment becoming a well-known and respected store clerk for Harrold's Pharmacy on Old River Road for some twenty years.

     Above all else, Mrs. Derr is remembered as being a loving, devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother to her adoring family.  Her physical presence will be greatly missed by all those she touched in this life.

     She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Amandus A. Derr on July 6, 1978.  At the time of Mr. Derr's passing, the couple shared thirty-one years of married life together.  She was also preceded by sisters, Mrs. Dorothy Ottensman and Mrs. Mildred Gula.

     Left to cherish her memory are her children, Reverend Amandus J. Derr and his wife Carole, who serves as interim senior pastor for Christ the King Lutheran Church, Houston, Texas and Pamela E. Derr and her companion Evie Schellenberger of Hillsborough, N.C.; Grandchildren including Amandus J.M. Derr and his wife Ariana A. Alter-Derr and Jonathan P. Derr; Great-Grandchild, Avery Michelle Derr; Several nieces, nephews, fellow congregants and dear friends.

     Funeral services for Mrs. Derr will be conducted on Monday, June 13th at 11:00 a.m. in Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 190 South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre.  Her son, the Reverend Amandus J. Derr will serve as celebrant and leader of worship.  Interment with the Rite of Committal will follow next to her husband in the family lot of Hanover Green Cemetery, 689 Main Road, Hanover Township with Pastor Derr officiating.

     Relatives and friends may join the Derr family for visitation and shared remembrances directly at church Monday morning from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services.

     In lieu of floral tributes, the Derr family would be humbled if those wishing to send a monetary donation in their mother’s memory; kindly consider Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 190 South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701.

     The John V. Morris Family Funeral Home Inc., 625 North Main Street, Wilkes-Barre is honored to care for Mrs. Derr and her family at this time.  

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