Derek Lee Edgington, 68, of New Baden, died Thursday, March 15, 2007 at St. Joseph Hospital in Breese, IL. He was born June 3, 1938 in Marion County, IL, son of Kenneth Doyal and Jennie Mae (Duke) Edgington. He married Shirley E. Witter on June 1, 1962 in Fairfield, IL and she survives in New Baden, IL.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his mother, Jennie Mae Edgington of Flora, IL; one son, Eugene Edgington of St. Louis, MO; one daughter, Jeanene Shields and husband Gary of Bluford, IL; two grandchildren, Michael Lee Watson and Megan LeAnn Watson; two brothers, John Edgington and wife Linda of Calhoun, IL, Dwight Edgington and wife Betty of Xenia, IL; one sister, Hope Jones of Flora, IL; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Becky Edgington of Xenia, IL, Doris Bland of Fairfield, IL, Lowell Witter of Elgin, IL, Harold & Anita Witter of Barnhill, IL, Dorotha & Lowell Thackrey of Carmi, IL, Leo & Donna Witter of Mill Shoals, IL, Loren Witter of Mason, IL, LaDonna & Joe Putman of Paradise, TX, Donald & Virginia Witter of Fairfield, IL and Ronald Witter of Peoria, IL.

Mr. Edgington was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Doyal Edgington; one brother, Delbert Edgington; and three brothers-in-law, Elmer Bland, Leon Witter and Bobby Witter.

He was a retired machinist with McDonnell Douglas/Boeing in St. Louis, MO and worked in the space programs for Gemini, Mercury and Apollo. He was a United States Army Reservist and was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 321 in New Baden, IL, a member of the New Baden Lions Club and Westgate Baptist Church in Trenton, IL

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, March 19, 2007 at Westgate Baptist Church in Trenton, IL with Rev. Mike May and Rev. Jay Huddleston officiating. Burial will follow at Campground Cemetery in Xenia, IL.

Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Sunday, March 18, 2007 at Hempen Funeral Home in New Baden, IL and from 9 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. Monday, March 19, 2007 at Westgate Baptist Church in Trenton, IL.   New Baden American Legion Post 321 will visit at 7 PM followed by the New Baden Lions Club at 7:15 PM Sunday.

Memorials may be made to Westgate Baptist Church Bus Ministry or to St. Joseph Hospital Pastoral Care and will be received at the funeral home or the church.