Obituary of Elmer C. Dering

Elmer C. Dering, 91 of Delmar passed away at home on Sunday, May 7, 2023.

Elmer was born in Philadelphia, Pa., the son of the late August E. Dering and Margaret Dripps Dering. He attended Cambridge High School where he lettered in football, basketball, baseball, and track, and was voted Most Valuable Athlete and Class President. Elmer graduated early from high school to join the Navy in 1951. While in the Navy, he served on the USS Spikefish (SS-404) and the commissioning crew of the USS Nautilus (SSN- 571), the first nuclear powered submarine. Following five years in the Navy, Elmer had a 37-year career with the New York Telephone Company. After retiring, he worked for a cabinet maker for several years and pursued his hobby of woodworking, making furniture and other items for family, friends, and churches. He also went on a number of church mission trips, including a six-week trip to Niger, Africa to help build a community center and to locations in the United States to help with disaster relief efforts. Elmer had been a member of various churches throughout his life and read the Bible every day. He was a 32^nd Degree Freemason in the fraternal organization of Freemasons.

Elmer is survived by his son, James and daughter-in-law, Cynthia Dering of Delmar; his granddaughter, Madeline Dering; his daughter Heather Maces (Chuck) of Pittsfield, Ma. and his grandson and granddaughter, Samuel Kostue and Sarah Kostue. He is also survived by brothers, Robert (Betty) Dering of Cambridge, N.Y. and George (Carol) Dering of Greenwich, N.Y., and numerous nieces and nephews.  In addition to his parents, Elmer was predeceased by his wife Virginia Niven Lyons Dering, a brother August E. Dering II, his sister Margaret Andrew, and a grandson Daniel Kostue.

Relatives and friends may call on Wednesday, May 10, from 4pm to 7pm at the Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Ave., Delmar.  Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 11, 10am, at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Bethlehem Cemetery, Delmar.