Allen Derks, age 45 of Whitehall, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, July 12, 2001 in Chicago. He was born on October 3, 1955 in Fremont to Robert and Mary (Zagers) Derks and married Mary Fazer on December 4, 1993. Al was a graduate of Fremont High School and the graduate program of Central Michigan University. He had been involved in the Community Education Programs for the past 29 years where he served as assistant Director for the Fremont Community Educational Program from Sept. 1981 until June 1991 when he became director of the White Lake Area Community Education Program. Al was a member and past president of the Michigan Association of Adult and Community Education (MACAE); member of the West Michigan Community Education Coalition. He co-developed the White Lake Training Counsel and was an integral part in bringing early childhood and family programs to the White Lake Area. Al enjoyed his active standing as an official for the Michigan Athletic High School Association where he was a referee for basketball and football in the MIAA League. He was a member of the White Lake Sport Fishermans Club and Shooting Club and a member of the St. James Catholic Church in Montague. He also served on the Fremont Planning Commission from 1984-1990 and the Fremont City Council from 1990-1991. He is survived by his wife, Mary of Whitehall; his daughter, Jacqueline Derks; his parents, Robert & Mary Derks of Fremont; his brother, Larry (Alesia) Derks of Rockford; his mother-in-law, Avis Fazer of Powers, Michigan; 7 nieces and nephews; many aunts, uncles, and cousins; brother-in-laws, John (Sandie) Fazer of Fremont; James Fazer of Kalamazoo; sister-in-laws, Judy (Ron) Hanson of Carmel, Indiana; Lisa Fazer of Escanaba, Michigan. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, July 17, 2001 from the First Christian Reformed Church in Fremont with Rev. Fred Bultman presiding with interment in the Maple Grove Cemetery. Friends may consider the Jacqueline Derks Education Fund C/O Crandell Funeral Home P O Box 148 Fremont MI 49412 for memorial contributions. www.crandellfh.com