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Michael Lee Derendinger, age 77, of Holts Summit, Mo., passed away on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Capital Region Medical Center.
Michael was born on August 18, 1948, to George and Elaine (Rasmussen) Derendinger in Boonville, Mo., and married Sharon (Snow) in 1967.
He was an exceptional teacher and lifelong pilot, with a career and lifetime marked by accomplishment, teaching, honesty, and integrity. He taught Aviation and Biology in Boonville; was Assistant Chief Flight Instructor and later Chief Pilot at CMSU in Warrensburg; became an instructor at Flight Safety International in Wichita, Kan.; then flew for the Missouri Department of Conservation from 1986 through 2005, retiring as Chief Pilot.
After retiring, he continued to be an instructor and pilot for multiple organizations, held membership in several associations, including the IANRP, and was an FAA Examiner for 27 years. In his free time, he could often be found in nature. Most importantly, he loved sharing his life with Sharon and visiting their children and grandchildren.
He is deeply loved and will be greatly missed by the countless people he impacted as a teacher, community member, and family man.
He is survived by his devoted and loving wife Sharon; their children and families, Kevin and Anita (Veale), Aaron and Babette (Smith), and Whitney and Deborah (Hearst); and their grandchildren Wyatt Evan, Jacob Michael and Sydney Grace, and Eden Elaine Derendinger.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 24, at 11 a.m. at Markland-Yager Funeral Home in New Franklin, followed by interment at Clark’s Chapel Cemetery, and a celebration of life at The Mercantile at 505 Main Street, Boonville. Those not able to attend the funeral or burial are welcome to visit at The Mercantile.
The family would like to express their deepest thanks to Capital Region Medical Center and Compassus Hospice Care. Anyone wishing to make a memorial is encouraged to support Clark’s Chapel and Compassus Hospice Care.
Condolences may be shared at www.marklandyager.com.
Markland-Yager Funeral Home is honored to serve the Derendinger family.
