Reverend Walter W. Derylo

Our sincerest condolences to Rev. Derylo's family and friends.

Years ago,while on my knees scrubbing the floor ,that went into the living room of the Kalkaska rectory,a man dressed in shorts and carrying a tennis racket walked in. Not expected till the next day,i was trying to get the rectory presentable ,after the departure of Father Harnish. I asked him who he wished to see. He informed me in a stern, yet amused tone,that he was the new priest at St. Marys Of the Woods. Needless to say,i was, dumbstruck. Never had i seen a priest in shorts. He was a...

I always enjoyed listening to you when I was a kid and you were serving at St. john the Baptist church in Alpena Michigan. You always made Sunday mornings interesting. May you rest in Peace.

Before the entrance to the airport was moved to S Airport, I drove Fr. Derylo to the airport every Saturday morning, and picked him up Sunday night. While he was away, his beater of a car (relatively speaking),with it's Haiti bumpersticker, remained in our driveway-unless he couldn't get it started, and brought the truck. Although humble in many respects, he did enjoy some of the finer things. I remember picking him up after a trip he took to France-he had purchased a number of bottles of...

Very old friend Michael Askins.

Walt,
Little did we know that our childhood friendship would last into our adulthood. Our path crossed so many times in the years. Your love and your compassion showed when you came to be with me and my family while my mother was terminally ill.
We weren’t able to meet this last time because God wanted you but I will never forget your love and kindness. Rest in peace and know that your love was reciprocal.

As always,
Sylvia Van Ess

Dear Family of Fr. Walt,

I have know Walt since we were kids skating together on the rink at Holy Spirit Parish, in Grand Rapids, MI.
I'm in an Assisted Living Facility, and he would stop and visit when he was in town. I will miss him terribly.
I know he is enjoying his eternal reward already.
He had such a giving heart and worked very hard for the poor.
Please accept my deepest sympathy.

Sincerely, Diane Brown

We will miss Father Walt's raidant smile at our middle school, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. He always was so happy to share Mass and classroom time with our students. I will always remember his stories; especially, being in the arms of his buscia in the rocking chair and feeling so loved. Father Walt will truly be missed by many.

Fr. Walt's family,
My prayers of comfort and strenth to all of you with the sudden death of such a giving priest, Fr.Walt.
I will forever remember the times Fr. Walt inspired me,which began at my Senior Class Retreat at Manistee Catholic Central many years ago, and until now. He is w/Our Lord now, and is smiling even bigger than he did here on earth.Rest in peace,Fr.Walt