Derek Werner

Derek A. Werner, 15, of Jackson passed away Saturday, Sept. 17, 2005, at Cardinal Glennon Hospital in St. Louis.

He was born Dec. 8, 1989, in Cape Girardeau, son of Tim and Jody Grebe Werner.

He attended Jackson High School and was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson. He participated in the Special Olympics, competing in bowling, softball and soccer. He also enjoyed martial arts and fishing.

Loving survivors include his parents, two sisters, Amy Ratledge and husband, Tom, children Megan Wheeler, Abigail, Caleb and Isaac Ratledge, all of Benton; Angela Comegys and children Justin, Allison and Julia Comegys, all of St. Louis;

Also surviving are paternal grandparents Wilfred and Kathryn Werner and maternal grandmother JoAnn Grebe, all of Jackson; paternal aunt, Laurie Hill and husband, Don and children Brad and Josh Hill of Jackson; maternal uncles, Mike Grebe of Jackson and Mark Grebe and wife, Linda, of Herculaneum.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Milton Grebe.

Friends may call at the McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. today, Sept. 19 and after 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 20 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson.

Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church with the Rev. David Johnson officiating. Interment will follow in the Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to St. Paul Lutheran Church or Special Olympics.