Thomas Derichs

Thomas J. "Tom" Derichs, age 47, of Melrose, died Wednesday, December 6, 2006 at the Melrose Area Hospital.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 9 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Vince Lieser officiating. Private family inurnment will take place at a later date in St. Mary' Cemetery.

Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday and from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday at Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Melrose Fire Department will pray at 6:30 p.m. followed by parish prayers at 7:30 p.m.

Thomas Derichs was born March 7, 1959 in Sauk Centre, Minnesota to Harold and Audrey (Lenarz) Derichs. He was united in marriage to Gwen Schreifels on May 3, 1980 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose. Tom was employed at Jennie-O Foods for many years and a volunteer firefighter for 5 years. Due to Tom's health problems his working career was shortened. Tom was a carrier for the St. Cloud Times for 5 years. He ran the Melrose Dart League and enjoyed playing darts and doing crossword puzzles. He had a passion for playing softball and baseball and umpired many games in surrounding communities. Tom was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose.

He is survived by his wife, Gwen (Schreifels) Derichs of Melrose; children, Shawn Derichs of Melrose, Sara Derichs of St. Cloud, and Shane Derichs (Trina Eggert) of Melrose; brother, James Derichs and his wife, Kim of Elrosa; sister, Bonnie Heinze and her husband, Tim of Elrosa; father and mother-in-law, Cyril and Val (Stueve) Schreifels of Melrose; and one grandchild due in March.

Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Audrey Derichs; grandparents; and sister-in-law, Jelene (Schreifels) Hinnenkamp.

Serving as casket bearers will be Mark Kemper, Scott "Scooter" Lenarz, Mac Derichs, Rodney Bueckers, Eric Schreifels, Ryan Schreifels, Jason Schreifels, and Nick Schreifels. Cross bearer will be Katelyn Heinze and scripture bearer will be Mark Derichs. Honorary bearers will be his softball buddies.

Memorials are preferred.