Derek G. Longstaff, age 76, of Plymouth, passed away early Monday afternoon (January 9th) at the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice. Derek was born on May 28, 1935 in Birmingham, England, a son of the late Gordon and Mary Raithby Longstaff. He attended Cockshut Hill Comprehensive School in Birmingham, England, and then at the age of 15 he did an Apprenticeship Program for 5 years as a Pattern Maker, through the company of Tollet & Sutton Company. He also attended and graduated from Birmingham University. On June 27, 1959 he married Patricia Tomlinson at the Sheldon Parish Church in Birmingham, England. The couple has resided in the area since 1969. Derek worked at Shamoon Industries in New Jersey, Great Lakes Foundry in South Bend, IN, and retired from Kohler Company in 1998 after 28 years. He was a member of the Kohler Company Quarter Century Club, the Kohler Police Athletic League and the Foundry Society. He enjoyed gardening, cooking, studying Spanish and Tai Chi, woodworking, farming and loved animals.

Survivors include his loving wife of 52 years, Patricia of Plymouth; one son: Mark Longstaff of Waupun, WI; one Granddaughter: Brittany Longstaff of Stevens Point, WI; one grandson: Derek Ray Longstaff; two brothers: Brian (Barbara) Longstaff and Roger (Sylvia) Longstaff, both of England; and one sister in law: Carole (Donald) Haigh of England. He is also survived by cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by one son: Anthony Longstaff; one brother: Jeffrey Longstaff; and his mother and father in law: Frances and Dorothy Tomlinson.

Memorial Services will be held on Friday evening (January 13th) at 6:00 P.M. at the Suchon Funeral Home in Plymouth. Rev. Robert Hamilton will officiate. Cremation has taken place and burial will be in the Kohler Cemetery. Friends may call at Suchon Funeral Home on Friday afternoon from 4:00 P.M. until the time of services. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established in Derek’s name. The Suchon Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Plymouth are serving his family. For online condolences, please visit www.suchonfh.com.