Joseph “Derek” Wilhelm, aged 28, beloved son of Leslie Southwick Wilhelm of Milan, Michigan and Joseph William Wilhelm of Durango, Colorado entered eternal life on January 15, 2021. He endured a 16-month battle against a rare and aggressive form of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma with courage, patience, and faith.
Derek was a 2010 graduate of Canton High School and went on to earn an Associate’s degree in Computer Aided Design (CAD) from Schoolcraft College. He did freelance CAD work, later finding his passion in producing graphic designs for the Comic-Con industry. His artistic talent was a lifelong strength.
His future plans included pursuing an advanced degree in philosophy, ultimately wanting to teach at the community college level, a population of students with whom he identified. He had started classes at Washtenaw Community College when he was diagnosed.
Derek was an avid reader, favoring philosophy, history, and fantasy; was a self-taught guitar player, both acoustic and electric; and enjoyed playing online games with his friends. He was thoughtful, kind, and observant with a very sharp sense of humor.
In addition to his parents, Derek is survived by stepfather Larry Hatch (Leslie) of Milan, Michigan; stepmother Janice Templeton (Joseph) of Durango, Colorado; aunts Nancy Southwick Rago (Paul) and Joanne Southwick Jellison (William); cousins Adam Rago (Meghan McGill), Grace Rago, Cara Jellison Burris (Tom), Peter Jellison, and Laurie Jellison, as well as Madison Elle Burris, daughter of Cara and Tom and Evelyn McGill Rago, daughter of Adam and Meghan. He is preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents and his cousin, Joseph Arthur Rago.
A celebration of Derek’s life will take place in the mountains of Colorado in the summer of 2021.
If you wish to honor Derek’s life, please consider a donation to Arbor Hospice, the staff of which compassionately cared for Derek during his final days or the Lymphoma Research Foundation so that others have hope for a future free from lymphoma.
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