Michael Lee Derendinger

Michael Lee Derendinger, age 77, of Holts Summit, MO, passed away Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Capital Region Medical Center.  He was able to pass peacefully, with family at his side.

Michael was born on August 18, 1948, to George and Elaine (Rasmussen) Derendinger in Boonville, MO, and married Sharon (Snow) in 1967.  In this union, they were blessed with three sons: Kevin Blake, Aaron Wesley, and Whitney Keene Derendinger.

He was an exceptional teacher and lifelong pilot, with a career and lifetime marked by accomplishment, teaching, honesty, and integrity.  He began his career teaching Aviation and Biology in Boonville for nearly a decade before moving to Warrensburg, where he was hired as the Assistant Chief Flight Instructor for Central Missouri State University.  Soon after, he was promoted to Chief Pilot at CMSU.  He then moved to a position as a valued instructor at Flight Safety International in Wichita, KS.

Michael’s career then brought him and his growing family to Jefferson City, where he flew for the Missouri Department of Conservation starting in 1986.  His excellent track record, leadership, dedication to the air brought him to the position of Chief Pilot which he held from 1998 through 2005.  For years after his retirement, he continued to be a leader in the aviation community, with membership in several associations including the IANRP and serving as an FAA Examiner for 27 years, amassing an unrivaled breadth and depth of flying experience.

In his free time, he could often be found in nature or tackling any home improvement project or automotive repair with his wealth of experience and inherent ability to diagnose and resolve problems.  He also found great comfort and joy in following the movements of nature, identifying birds and other wildlife.  Most importantly, he loved sharing his life with Sharon and sharing his knowledge and his heart with his 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 & Sydney Grace, and Eden Elaine Derendinger.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 24 at 11:00 AM 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, MO.  Those not able to attend the funeral or burial are welcome to visit The Mercantile.

The family would like to express their deepest thanks to Capital Region Medical Center and Compassus Hospice Care for their attendance to Michael in his journey, providing comfort and aid to him and his family.  Anyone wishing to make a memorial is encouraged to support Clark’s Chapel Cemetery and Compassus Hospice Care.

Condolences may be shared at www.marklandyager.com.

Markland-Yager Funeral Home is honored to serve the Derendinger family.

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