JOHN DERWIN

John Derwin, 45, resident of Marathon, Fla., passed away Wednesday morning, Nov. 4, 2009, at Fishermen's Hospital. John was a native of Chicago, Ill., son of the late Richard K. Derwin and Sheila S. Derwin. John moved to Marathon in 1972 and attended Marathon High School, where he played on the football team and was a graduate of the class of 1982. John was of the Catholic faith and attended San Pablo and St. Peter Catholic churches. He was self-employed as a tile setter, working in construction. John was preceded in death by his father and a sister, Laurie Derwin Warnick.

John is survived by his mother, Sheila Derwin; and three brothers, Rick, Mike and Danny; and a sister and brother-in-law, Sheila and Tim Shelton. He was the uncle of Jay Derwin, John, Joey and Katelyn Smelley, and Rachel, Timothy, Rebekah and Hanna Shelton.

A memorial funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 9, 2009, in St. Peter Catholic Church in Big Pine Key with Father Tony Mulane officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers Catholic Mission, P.O. Box 308, Maryknoll, NY 10545, or online at http://www.Maryknoll.org. Dean-Lopez Funeral Home, Big Pine Key, is in charge of arrangements.

RALPH SIMMONS JR.

Born in Chicago, on the 11th of October, 1932, Ralph Simmons Jr. enlisted in the U.S. Army for 11 years, becoming a sergeant in the Korean War.

He was interested in the theater scene in New York afterwards, but settled for the more secure environment of office work, becoming a legal file supervisor and, later, a creative head of artwork for the magazine Modernismo before setting up his Cycle Press in 1966 with his partner for 43 years, Kirby Congdon, whose work in contemporary poetry Mr. Simmons selflessly promoted throughout their lifetime together.

They moved to Key West in 1986 and gave their time to literary pursuits here and at Fire Island Pines, N.Y.

A diabetic, and suffering from dilated cardiomyopathy, Ralph Simmons died, after having had a stroke two weeks earlier, on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009, at age 77. He is survived by two younger brothers, Edward and Carneil; a sister, Diane; besides his nephew, Henry Sudduth, all in the Chicago area; and his partner, Kirby Congdon.

CATHERINE DALE

WILSON GILLERAN

Catherine Dale Gilleran passed away peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009. Originally from Seattle, Catherine was preceded in death by her mother, Susan Sears Wilson.

Her beauty, wit and stealth sense of humor kept friends and family engaged for hours. Her three boys, James, 16, Daniel, 13, and Matthew, 11, were the loves of her life. She was proud of each of them and their athletic and scholastic accomplishments.

Born during a parade at West Point, N.Y., her father, Wayne Wilson, cleared a path and she was led by a military band and police escort so his wife, Susan, could deliver Catherine at the hospital in time. Catherine grew up in West Seattle and always thought of that as her home. At Christmas she would ask for local Seattle favorites to be sent to her, including Oberto Beef Jerky, Duke's Chowder, Taco Time Crisp Beef Burrito, Frango Mints and Tim's Cascade Chips.

Always beautiful and brilliant beyond her classmates, Catherine could have chosen any career. It was the one of motherhood that she sought and loved.

Catherine is survived by her father, Wayne R. Wilson; stepmother, Tamara A Wilson; her grandmother, Rosina Wilson; Uncles Steve and John Wilson; as well as cousins, all living in the Puget Sound area. Also surviving are her former husband, James Gilleran, and their three boys, James, Daniel and Matthew, who will live with their father in Key West.

Catherine will rest with her mother in Seattle at Forest Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Hospice of the Florida Keys.

A celebration of her life will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009, at the Southernmost House in Key West.