Clancy W. Derwin

Clarence "Clancy" W. Derwin, 85, passed away peacefully May 29, 2025.
A giant among those lucky enough to have known him, in his 85 years Clancy lived a life deep and wide, leaving a piece of himself to endure in the memories created with those he loved.
Born in 1939 to Evelyn and Clarence Derwin of Chicago, Clancy was the oldest of three children. He recalled the idyllic moments of his childhood in the last weeks of his life. He fondly remembered being the first family in the neighborhood to get a television in 1947, summer days spent swimming, and afternoons after school teaching his friends to box.
As a teenager, he worked with his brother, his life-long best friend, as a Caddy at Glen Oaks Country Club in Glen Ellyn, IL. This job sparked Clancy's love of golf, and he recalled this as the best job he ever had. Often, Clancy would regale friends and family with stories of his time spent working along side his brother, and the two of them saving their money to buy their first
cars.
As a young adult, Clancy taught ballroom dance lessons at the Fred Astaire School of Dance, worked as a bartender at Chicago's legendary jazz club The Green Mill, and spent summer days at Hollywood Beach on Chicago's North Side soaking up the sun and meeting women (both of which remained among his favorite pastimes until the end of his life.)
Clancy was the father of six children. When his oldest daughter was born in 1961 Clancy embraced fatherhood as he did everything else in his life, with gusto. Clancy dedicated himself to family life. He worked to provide for his children the memories of an idyllic childhood much like the one he experienced. Clancy took creating lasting memories with his children, nieces and nephews seriously. He even went as far as developing an alter ego, "Carrots the Clown" alongside his brother, "Clancy the Clown" and sister-in-law, "Lucy the Clown" for family gatherings.
Later in life, Clancy retired to Captain's Cove Campground where he spent the warm Wisconsin months soaking up the sun, golfing, and spending time with friends and family. Inevitably, when the Wisconsin weather turned harsh and cold, he'd chase the sun to Florida for a few months to spend time with his sister, brother-in-law, and friends.
Clancy will be remembered for his fun-loving zest for life, his sense of humor, as well as his loyalty to his family and friends. Everyone who loved him carries a piece of him in the memories they shared. Though no longer with us physically, Clancy lives on in the hearts and minds of those who love him, a tribute to a life lived fully and exuberantly.
He is preceded in death by his mother Evelyn Ruth Derwin (Carlyon), father Clarence Derwin and sister-in-law Marguerite "Rusty" Derwin.
Clancy is survived by his brother Robert Derwin, and sister Lynne (Mal) Suttie. Children: Christy (Jerry) Derwin, Jason (Jamie) Derwin, Cathy (Kevin) Kohlbeck, Jeff (Billie Jo) Derwin, Jim (Brandi) Derwin, and Jake (Anna) Derwin. Nieces and nephews: Janie, Cindy (Mike), Bobby (Chrissy), Bob (Becky) and Tammy. Grandchildren: Nichole (Will) Hood, Bill C. Hood, Kate Hood, Samantha Binsfeld, Zach Kohlbeck, Brooke Kohlbeck, Christopher (Holly) LeFave, Samuel Derwin, James and Jace, and four great grandchildren: Caden, Adyson, Bentley, and Delilah.
A celebration of life will be held later this summer at Captain's Cove Campground for friends and family. Details will be forthcoming.