Corynne S. “Corky” Derstine, 86, of Belleville, IL, born June 12, 1940, in Abington, PA, died Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Dammert Care Center.
Corky graduated from Penn State University and later received her master’s in education at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She was a proud member of Phi Mu sorority at Penn State. Corky taught at St. Agatha Catholic School, St. John School, and Mascoutah Elementary School for a combined 23 years. She was a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood and the Belleville Optimist Club. She enjoyed playing bridge with friends, but most of all she cherished time with her children and grandchildren.
Corky was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Paul E. Derstine, whom she married on September 22, 1962; a son, Michael D. Derstine; her parents, Paul J. Lamont and Kathryn L. (Boyer) Lamont; a sister, Sandra (Lamont) Milke; and her in-laws, Paul M. and Bertha (Hearing) Derstine.
Surviving are her two sons, Tim (Laura) Derstine of Belleville, IL, and Jeff (Linda) Derstine of Jerseyville, IL; eight grandchildren, Michael A. (Maggie), Andrew (Angie), Ella, Landon, Olivia Shevlin, Andrea and Tyler Derstine, and Kayla (Hayden) House; six great-grandchildren, Jack, Noah, Henry and Lucy Corynne Derstine, and Aurora and Eloise House; and a niece and nephew, Dana (Art) Mattingly and Christopher (Heather) Milke.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, BJC Hospice, or to St. Teresa Catholic Church. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 9 to 11 a.m., Saturday, November 21, 2026, at St. Teresa Catholic Church, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, November 21, 2026, at St. Teresa Catholic Church, Belleville, IL.
Burial will be at Lakeview Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights, IL. A celebration luncheon will follow the burial at Tavern on Main, 301 E. Main St., Belleville, IL 62220, starting at 1 p.m.
