of Benton, AR
September 30, 1928 - November 9, 2014
Rose Ann Derfler, 86, of Benton passed away Sunday, November 9, 2014 at Saline Memorial Hospital Hospice House in Bryant with her loving children by her side. She was born September 30, 1928 in East St. Louis, IL to the late Clyde Francis and Teresa Bridget (Gribbon) Hopkins. Mrs. Derfler was a member of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church where she was a member of the Ladies Altar Society and Key Chain. She was also a volunteer for OLF School where she taught P.E. Classes and had retired from Timex.
Her husband of 45 years, Donald D. Derfler, Sr. , four brothers, Francis, Tommy, Ray, and Ed Hopkins, and three sisters, Mary Teresa Hopkins, Eileen Butler, and Marilyn Mitchell also preceded her in death.
Survivors include one son, Donald D. ''Donnie'' Derfler, Jr. of Benton; four daughters, Kathy Contorno and husband Vincent, Karen Carter and husband Jim, Patti Clay and husband Scott, and Teresa Lile and husband Gar, all of Benton; one sister, Mary Boyce of Daytona Beach, FL; one brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Evelyn Hopkins of Columbia, IL; one brother-in-law, Robert Derfler; sisters-in-law, Donna Hopkins, Jackie Harshbarger, Jean (Dugan) Forhan, and Roselle Derfler; ten grandchildren, Aaron (JoJo) Carter, Adam (Lindsay) Carter, Tony (Janna) Contorno, Jordan (Jen) Contorno, Austin Carter, Gardner Lile, Anna Clay, Garrett Lile, Grace Ann Lile, and Abby Clay, seven great grandchildren, Eli Contorno, Easton Contorno, Maddie Carter, Owen Carter, Noah Contorno, Charlee Rose Carter, and Beau Carter, along with many other relatives and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 12, 2014 at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church with Father Matt Garrison and Father Y.C. Irudayaraj officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Memorial Park. Mrs. Derfler's grandsons and granddaughters will serve as pallbearers.
A Rosary Service followed with Visitation will be held at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday evening, November 11, 2014 in the chapel of Roller-Ballard Funeral Home (315-4047).
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Our Lady of Fatima Adopt-A-Student Program, 900 W. Cross St., Benton, AR 72015 or CJCOHN, P.O. Box 1146, Benton, AR 72018.
Please accept my condolences on the loss of your mother, Rose Ann. I knew Rose Ann from High School at St. Teresa Academy. After graduation, My future husband and I met her brother
Charlie, and at that time, his future bride, Evelyn. We have been close friends ever since. Charlie and Evelyn are godparents to my youngest son, Marty. We know their sorrow for your loss.
Will remember your family in my prayers.
My heart goes out to daughter, Kathy Contorno, and all of the family for Ms. Rose Ann Derfler. Moms are very special. I loved mine dearly and miss her so much. May God give you peace as only He can give. God bless, Helen Rushing, SCP
Karen, I'm sorry about your Mom, I pray God will bless and keep your family. Take care.
To all of Rose Ann's family, my prayers and thoughts are with you all. Jerry thought the world of your Mom. He was so saddened to hear of your Mom's passing. She was a very special person. Love you all
Dear Karen and Family,
I hope the outpouring of love is carrying you through this time of grief. Saying good bye to the last parent is difficult even if you know she was ready to join the Lord. My thought and prayers are with you today and always.
To Rose Ann's dear family,
My deepest heartfelt sympathy to everyone. My prayers are with you during this most difficult time and I pray that God will heal your grieving hearts and fill them with loving memories. I share in your loss and please know that your Mom / Grandmother will live on forever in your hearts.
When I moved to Arkansas some 24 yrs. ago, the first time that I went to church at Our Lady of Fatima Rose Ann was a greeter that Saturday evening and she welcomed me into the parish family with open arms and took me under her wings. For that I will be forever grateful.
Judi White
Parishioner and honored friend.
Karen I'm so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my prayers.
Karen,
Sorry to hear about the passing of your Mom. I remember her to be a sweet person. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts today and the days to come.
Karen, I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved mother. Take comfort in your beautiful family.
Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers in this time of sadness.
Sorry for your loss. I use to bowl with Rose Ann back in the '60's. She was a fun person.
Karen,
So sorry to hear about your mother. I will be thinking of you and your family in the days ahead.
So sorry for your loss! Thinking of you.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time of sorrow. May God place his comforting arms around you today and in the days to follow.
Donnie, you and your family are in our prayers.
Sincerely,
Neil and Shelley
So sorry for your loss. I know you will miss her Don. much love, Amy
Dear Donnie, Kathy,Karen, Patti, and Teresa,
We are so sorry to learn of Rose Ann's death. We have so many wonderful memories of our time in Benton belonging to Our Lady of Fatima and your family was such a big part of that. We were young newly weds when we moved to Benton and started our own family. Your Mom and Dad were such a marvelous example and inspiration for us. They were both such loving and giving people. Grief is such a hard thing, so we pray today that God will grant your the strength to face the coming days and months as you deal with your loss.
Love, Martha and Arlon Boatman
Karen, praying for you and your family.
Sorry to hear that your mother has passed away. She was always "Mrs. Derfler" to me. I respected her so much growing up next door to your family. God has not promised days without pain, laughter without sorrow, nor sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears and light for the way. I pray your family finds comfort in the celebration of her life.
My deepest condolences and prayers to the family of Rose Ann Derfler as you mourn the loss of your Mom. May her soul rest in peace. She is in a better place with God. It has been pleasure knowing her for the past one year. She lived and valued her faith and set an example for all her children. Her good deeds will be rewarded in heaven. At this time I sincerely offer my prayers to all of you. God bless you all.
Kathy & Family,
So sorry to hear of your loss - she is heaven's gain. May the good Lord provide you peace at this difficult time.
Love you,
Donna
Kathy sending thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
Rose, I know how much you will be missed bot not forgotten. There will be prayers coming for you and for your family. I didn't realize what a great family God had given you. But now you are closer to God's family so you can see all of them.
To the family, we are so sorry for your loss. Your mom, sister, friend or other family member was a terrible lost , Also she was there when needed, always praying for you. You should not worry. She is with the Lord happy, content and with no pain.
Our prayers are with you.
We are keeping you and the rest of the family in our thoughts and prayers. We are sending love and prayers your way.
Kathy and Family,
You are in my thoughts and prayers. I saw first hand the way you cared about your mother and the love you gave her. She must have been a special lady. May you remember the good times, the fond memories, and little jokes, and your mother's zingers. May the Lord hold you in His hand and provide you with peace and rest knowing she is with Him.
Love - June Dickson
Tony, Janna and family,
So sorry to hear of your loss, our prayers are with you during this time of grief.
Dear Kathy,
I am so glad that your Mother is singing with the angels and heaven is a lot brighter. I know your heart is heavy but her pain and trials are over. Lean on God to get you through this time.If you need anything call me!!!!
Your friend
Jan
Kathy,
I am so sorry to learn of your loss. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. May precious memories provide some peace and comfort.
Kathy, so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you and your family at this time.
Dear Kathy,
We are all thinking about you and your family and praying for your comfort during this difficult time.
With sincere sympathy,
Missy
Ms. Kathy C. and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
We are so sorry for your loss. We are keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers! From all of us at the Malvern Office!
Sheila Trammel
Office Manager
Area Agency on Aging
906 Dyer Street
Malvern, Arkansas
She loved her family like nothing I've ever seen. One of the spunkiest, funniest, wittiest women I've ever met. Rose Anne has left a mark on each and every friend and family member. I am so glad to have known her and hope my children bear her qualities as they grow into adults. You will be greatly missed, Granny....We love you. xoxo
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Karen, I am sorry to read of your loss.
We'll be thinking of you and your family.
Kathy,
I was sorry to read in the paper that you lost your mother. My prayers are with you and your famly.
Don, we extend our sincere condolences on the physical loss of your mother, but knowing there will never be the loss of wonderful memories of all the good days before her heavenly travel.
Our prayers will be with your entire family as you begin another chapter in life, that we all have to face. God be with you all.
Love, peace and comfort to my Aunt Rose Ann's children, grandchildren and loved ones. Very sad that I won't get to see her again, but grateful that her Earthly pain is over and that her Heavenly joy is here.
Derf - Sorry for your loss. Donna and I are thinking of you non this trying time.
I am thinking of all you precious children tonight. I feel as if I have known Rose Ann all my life. My mom loved her and especially loved living next door to your family.
This is a hard one Karen. Mom & Dad have a lot of catching up to do and they will be happy for ever after . They will greet you at home later on. Love you Bennie
Prayers for you all.