Derek C. Rea, 54, of Granite City, Ill., born Feb. 27, 1954, in Biloxi, Miss., passed away at 8:46 p.m. on Monday, June 16, 2008, at Anderson Hospital in Maryville, Ill. Mr. Rea was an active volunteer with NORML and the Media Awareness Project. He was an accomplished author whom published his book, "Big Black Book of Scanner Frequencies" and wrote articles for the Cannabis Papers to help promote cannabis for medicinal purposes. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Granite City, Ill., and was an avid reader and enjoyed working with computers and enjoyed music. He will be remembered for the love of his family and the special times shared together.
He was preceded in death by his father, Dale C. Rea; and one sister, Gretchen Dayment. Surviving are his beloved wife, Eileen E., nee Vaughn, Rea, whom he married on Aug. 8, 1988, in St. Louis, Mo., his mother, Elizabeth L., nee King, Rea of Granite City, Ill.; four daughters, Anastasia ( Patrick ) Curry of Granite City, Ill., Angela ( Michael ) Schenk of Collinsville, Ill., Carrie Whitehorn of Granite City, Ill., and Ahniwake ( J.C. ) Markell of Granite City, Ill.; four grandchildren, Nicholas, Erin, Daryan and Alexandra; one brother and sister-in-law, Christopher and Debb Rea of Grand Island, Neb.; one niece, Alexis Rea of Grand Island, Neb.; other nieces; nephews; extended family and many dear friends.
Memorials may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Gateway Chapter, 77 West Port Plaza, Suite 101, St. Louis, MO 63146 and may be accepted at the funeral home.
Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 19, 2008, at Irwin Chapel, 3960 Maryville Road in Granite City, Ill.
Funeral: A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 20, 2008, at the First Presbyterian Church, 2164 Delmar Avenue in Granite City, Ill., with the Rev. Dr. Lewis Trotter officiating.
Gretchen Steele, a registered nurse who has found medical marijuana effective at treating the debilitating symptoms of her seven-year battle with multiple sclerosis, is available to television, print and radio outlets to tell her personal story and how legal medical marijuana protection would improve her life.
