Derwent 'Der' Carl McColley

March 27, 1931 - June 15, 2018

Derwent ‘Der’ Carl McColley was called home to be with our Lord on June 15, 2018. Born a farm boy in Gladwin, Michigan on March 27, 1931, Der served honorably in the Air Force during the Korean War stationed in Okinawa and Iwo Jima. After his service he followed his family to the Elk Rapids area where he met and married Sally Rives, making a beautiful home on the southern tip of Torch Lake. There he raised his two girls and pursued his passions for hunting, fishing, building snow sculptures and sports of all kinds. A career tool and die man, he was employed by Elk Lake Tool. Der moved to Farmington Hills and became president of Acme Grooving Tool. When in Farmington he picked up the game of golf. Upon retirement Der returned to the peace of the Kalkaska woods to be near his family and the wonders of God and nature he revered so highly, to read insatiably, and pursue his new career on the course at Timber Wolf Golf Club. Der is survived by sister Valerie Allen, daughters Diane (Rick) Swoverland and Cathy (Mike) Beltz, four grandchildren Sterling, Arica, Aaron and Alex, four great-grandchildren Chandler, Trinity, Ava and Mya. He was preceded in death by his parents Carl and Audrey McColley and younger sister Vonnie. Der’s humor and good nature will be missed by all. Family, neighbors, and buddies alike, we will all remember him well. Arrangements have been entrusted to Kalkaska Funeral Home and Cremation Services.