Obituary of Kevin Derfler

It is with profound sadness that we announce Kevin William Derfler passed away on March 7^th 2022 at the age of 30 years. He was born on November 6^th 1991 at the Dawson Creek Hospital.  He was adopted at birth by Brian and Carolyn who had been waiting many years for a baby and were overjoyed to become parents.

From a young age Kevin was fascinated with playing and learning about dinosaurs, constructing with Legos, and setting up battle scenes with his toy soldiers.  He always enjoyed family camping and fishing trips to Muncho Lake, Liard Hot Springs, Babine Lake and Sukunka River to name just a few.

As he grew older, he found great interest in learning about the World Wars and even wrote his very own war story. Along with this came a fascination with guns. He spent many hours making his own guns out of any scraps of wood that he could find around the farm.  They could be found all around the yard and were one of his favourite things to play with. His dad could always tell when he had been busy building them as his tools were no longer where he thought he had left them.

This love for guns eventually turned into a passion for hunting.  He was very knowledgeable about the topic and had a natural talent for storytelling.  For a time, he took a great interest in taxidermy, even trying his hand at making bear skin rugs, and European skull mounts.

From a very young age, the James Bond movies were some of Kevin’s favourites. He could give you the synopsis of each movie, including the actors and music played.  He and his dad visited the Bond, James Bond Exhibition in Bradford, England in 2002 which Kevin thought was so amazing and was thrilled to see the Walther PPK, the Golden Gun, the Acrostar Jet and Jaws’ teeth.  

In his early to mid-teens, Kevin decided to pick up the guitar and taught himself how to play.

He spent many, many hours playing music and even writing some of his own. Some of Kevin’s favourite genres were heavy metal, rock, and country which featured bands such as Rammstein, AC/DC, Ozzy Osborne.

Growing up on a grain farm in Farmington, he had a fascination for anything with wheels. As a little boy he spent many hours with his dad riding on the farm equipment and when he was old enough, he enjoyed combining.

Sunday dinners were a weekly routine, typically with both sets of grandparents and family friends. During the summer months, Sunday dinners took place at the cabin where family and neighbors would come and enjoy an evening of tasty food and good company around the campfire.

Trips to the Kiskatinaw River were a common occurrence on the weekends.  In the winter the snowmobiles were fired up to make the journey down to the picnic site and in the summer, quads were the typical form of transportation.  Time at the river was spent sitting around the campfire fire, swimming, climbing the sandy riverbanks, playing in the mud, skating and occasionally even ice fishing.

Kevin attended Parkland for his elementary school years and then went on to attend Central Middle School and South Peace Senior Secondary.  Academics weren’t always Kevin’s strength, and a few attempts were taken in order to graduate with his diploma, but eventually he did it.

After graduating high school Kevin worked various jobs from stocking shelves at Extra Foods, selling clothes at Mark’s, working in the shop at Brown’s, selling parts at Pat’s Auto and eventually his dream job at Corlane Sporting Goods. He was truly in his element selling guns and conversing with other hunters where his wealth of knowledge came in very handy.  He even liked to take people he met at work out on hunting trips around the area.

In 2016 Kevin met his beloved Amanda Roberts and knew she was the one for him. They were engaged in 2017 and then married the following summer on June 16^th, 2018. They had a small ceremony on the family farm and a reception to follow at the Farmington Hall. Amanda was a great support to Kevin throughout their marriage and even took an interest in his passion for hunting, going on a few local trips with him.

Life was challenging for Kevin. He struggled with self-confidence and depression, and this affected his overall well-being.

Kevin was loved unconditionally from the time he was born, but he spent his life searching for acceptance and the connection he didn’t receive before he was born.

Those of us who loved Kevin hope and pray he now has an eternal embrace of love that will make him whole and at peace.    

Kevin is survived by his wife Amanda Derfler; parents Carolyn and Brian Derfler; sister Emily (Ben) van Spronsen; mother-in-law Lorrie Roberts; sister-in-law Michelle (Eric) Kronlachner;

brother-in-law Tyler Sterling; nephews Ezra and Orland; nieces Valla and Addie; Oma Mary Spoke; step-grandfather Mel Potter; and numerous aunties, uncles, and cousins.

Kevin was predeceased by his grandparents Ernest and Lila Derfler, Jake Browne, and Jean Potter.

A private Celebration Of Life for Kevin will be held with interment to follow in Sunrise Valley Mountain View Cemetery. With respect to Kevin’s wishes some of his cremains will be scattered in a few of his favourite areas in the Peace River Region.

For friends so wishing, donations may be made in memory of Kevin to Networks Ministries, 10500 13 St, Dawson Creek, British Columbia, V1G 3W5.

Very Respectfully, Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium