Mr. Derek James Hughes, of Warrenton, passed away on Saturday, July 29. He was born on August 16, 1997, in Lake St. Louis to Sherry Lynn Hughes. He had reached the age of 25 years.
Derek's pride, joy, and the center of his world was his daughter, Cali. He truly loved being her dad. He attended Warrenton High School and graduated in 2016. He enjoyed playing and watching football. Derek could fix just about anything. He liked to work on anything with a motor. He enjoyed going fishing with his friends and spending time with his big buddy, Dillon. Derek was a wonderful father, son, brother, and grandson and his absence will be felt by his family and friends.
Derek was preceded in death by his grandparents, Gary and Debbie Hughes; one uncle, Mike Hughes; and friend Dakota Logan. Surviving family members, who are grateful for having shared in Derek's life are, his beautiful daughter, Cali Ritcher (Summer); his parents, Sherry Hughes and Danny O'Donnell and Rick Hamlin; grandparents, Lisa Miller and Dan O'Donnell; Great grandmother, Eileen Page; siblings, Ashleigh Rice (Tim), Daniel O'Donnell (Allie Karmi) and Joseph O'Donnell, Logan Newman, Dayimon Hamlin, Arianna and Trinity Davis; extended family members, Amy Mergelmeyer, Grandma Barb Brueggenjohan, Cole Mergelmeyer, Dillon Mergelmeyer, Kara and Miranda Hughes; other relatives and many close family friends.
The family will Celebrate Derek's life with a visitation on Wednesday, August 2, from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Martin Funeral Home in Warrenton. They will then host a Celebration Service on Thursday, August 3, at 10 a.m. also at the funeral home. A committal service will follow at the Warrenton City Cemetery. The family is requesting any memorial donations be made to Derek's family c/o Martin Funeral Home.
