Stephen Joseph Dermer

It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to Stephen Joseph Dermer. Son of Adam James Dermer & Loraine Marie Gemanis Dermer. Was the brother to James Agustice Dermer. A loving husband to Sandra Sue Dermer. The devoted father of Aaron Michael Dermer, Adam Matthew Dermer, and Alexander Marc Dermer. A kind father-in-law to Bethany Telah Dermer, wife of Alex. A dedicated grandfather to Natasha Kiana Dermer, Victoria Rose Dermer, Benjamin Michael Dermer, Nikolas Grayson Dermer, Samsen Neils Dermer, Zoey Piper Dermer, and Aden Maxwell Dermer. He was generous with his time and talents. Dependable to help the needs of his family and a teacher at his heart. Always quick to lend a helping hand and enjoyed teaching others how to do things for themselves. Steve was a proud veteran and served his country in the Army Infantry Company C First Battalion completing his training February 19th, 1966. He served as a missile tech spending time in both Japan and Germany. Working with the Nike missile program trained as an electrician. Stationed first in Okinawa Japan from June 27th, 1966, to December 20th, 1967. Then he was stationed outside of Frankfurt Germany February 13th, 1968, to November 21st, 1968. Serving as active military from December 13th, 1965, to November 26th, 1968. He did beautiful work as a finish carpenter. Owned and operated many businesses. Starting with his family’s liquor and delicatessen store Dermer’s Liquor until 1993. Helped with his wife Sandy to establish Dermer’s Creative Care Preschools in 1988 and the second location in 2003. He also took part in other business endeavors from his time as a butcher to developing a cookie company. He enjoyed taking part in different industries. But his family believes his best work was everything he did for his family. He was truly gifted with a heart to serve and care for others. Finding joy and meaning in what he could do to help the people he loved.

His daughter-in-law Bethany wrote about him “I am forever grateful to have known him. Forever blessed for the legacy he left behind. Forever indebted to him for the gift of his son. And I will continue to see him in the eyes of my children. Who share a lot of his physical characteristics as well as some of his wonderful qualities like his caring spirit.”

His granddaughter Natasha also wrote “We talked about shows and what books he was reading, or memories from his past. He was always willing to help with anything – Even if you didn’t want him to! He meant so much to my sister and I, and our whole family. I wish he had gotten to live those twenty extra years I expected him to – I really wanted to thank him someday and tell him that he helped me get there.”

June 11th, 1947 - June 15th, 2023

The funeral is to be held on Thursday July 6th at 10am at Whitehurst Sullivan Burns & Blaire Funeral Home located at 836 E. Nees Ave Fresno Ca. 93720. The burial will follow at Fresno Memorial Garden 175 S. Cornelia Ave, Fresno ca. 93706.

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.” — Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Stephen Joseph Dermer, age 76, of Fresno, California passed away on Thursday, June 15, 2023.

A visitation for Stephen will be held Wednesday, July 5, 2023 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Whitehurst Sullivan Burns & Blair Funeral Home, 836 E. Nees Ave., Fresno, CA 93720. A funeral service will occur Thursday, July 6, 2023 at 10:00 AM, 836 E. Nees Ave., Fresno, CA 93720. A committal service will occur Thursday, July 6, 2023 at Fresno Memorial Gardens, 175 South Cornelia Ave, Fresno, CA 93706.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.whitehurstsullivan.com for the Dermer family.