Derwood K. Ruggles, 86 of Aledo, died Monday, June 3, 2024, at his home. A celebration of Derwood’s life will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 29, at the Mercer County VFW, with Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Aledo Fire Department. Speer Funeral Home, Aledo, is assisting the family.
Derwood was born on August 25, 1937, in Mercer County, Illinois, to Joe B. and Cleda (Elschler) Ruggles. He graduated from Aledo High School and received training in Fire Suppression. He served the Aledo Fire Department for many years, 16 as Assistant Chief. He also worked for Alexis Fire Equipment doing tradeshows across the nation.
Derwood loved to tinker on things, doing body and service work for several years. He was really a jack of all trades, including carpentry, masonry, plumbing, and electrical. Derwood’s real passion was antiquing, both collecting and restoring. He had his own shop for many years in Aledo.
Derwood is survived by his companion, June Wilson; daughter, Julie Ricketts of Aledo; son, Derwood K. “J.R.” Ruggles of Blackhawk, SD; two grandchildren, Scott and Shannon; two great-grandchildren, Archer and Sawyer; step-children, Kathleen (Rene) Rocha of Peoria, IL, Teresa (Garry) Little of Davenport, Chris (Penny) Brown of Bridgeport, TX, Tony (Dana) Nelson of Richmond, VA, and Becky (Jason) Dogget of Alexis, IL; several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Virginia Ruggles of California. He was preceded in death by siblings, David, Harold, Garland, and Jim Ruggles, Orta Lee Comstock, Dortha McMurray, Ruth Swank, Mary Lou Orr, and Tyra Bull.