Irving Derby

Irving D. Derby, 84, Jamestown, North Dakota died Thursday, May 5, 2005 at Jamestown Hospital.

Irving David Derby was born February 21, 1921 in Sydney, North Dakota the son of Thomas G. and Lillian E. (Redmann) Derby. He graduated from Montpelier High School in 1939. He farmed near Montpelier until he entered the US Army on November 19, 1945 in Jamestown. He served with the 3164th Signal Service Company Saipan repairing power units for army communications systems. Irving received the World War II Victory medal and Army of Occupation Medal Japan. He was discharged on June 2, 1947 from Camp Stoneman, California. Irving married Lorraine Mae Headland on July 10, 1947 in Jamestown. He returned to farming upon his military discharge and farmed near Adrian, North Dakota for 5 years before moving to a farm near Montpelier, North Dakota. Irving loved the land and farming was his life which he did until his retirement in 1987. Following retirement they moved to Jamestown where he continued to work for an area farmer and the Jamestown Park and Recreation Department.

He enjoyed flying private airplanes, reading, playing the mouth organ (harmonica), his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Irving is survived by his wife, Lorraine of Jamestown, two daughters, Wanda (Randy) Spitzer, Mandan, ND and Bonnie (Chuck) Schmitz, Jamestown, four grandchidren, Lorri (Chris) Strand, Sioux Falls, SD; Jason Spitzer and Shawn Spitzer, both of Lakewood, CO and Niki Schmitz, Jamestown, two great-grandchildren, Zachary and Ethan Strand, Sioux Falls, SD, one sister, Ruth (Donald) Bivens, Mazon, IL and five nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Darrel I. Derby and one brother, Darold.

Funeral Service: 10:30 AM, Tuesday, May 10, 2005 at the United Presbyterian Church, Jamestown with Pastor David Thompson officiating.

Visitation: 1:00 to 8:00 PM, Monday, May 9, 2005 at the Eddy Funeral Home.

Prayer Service: 7:30 PM, Monday, May 9, 2005 at the Eddy Funeral Chapel

Burial: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Jamestown, North Dakota.