Derek M. Cotner

Derek Michael Cotner, 31, of Turbotville, went home to his Lord Friday, August 28, 2026, at Kindred Hospital, Havertown after a long battle with cancer and myasthenia gravis.

Born on August 19, 1995, in Danville, he was a son of Michael L. and the Rev. Beverly D. (Welsh) Cotner, of Turbotville.

Derek was a 2013 graduate of Warrior Run High School, where he was on the soccer and swim teams. He received his Bachelor's degree from the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford in 2017.

He worked at Camp Karoondinha for a number of years and worked with the Pennsylvania Republican Reelection Committee. Most recently, he was employed with Evangelical Community Hospital to start his career as an EMT before falling ill.

Derek was a devoted Christian who lived out his faith in all aspects of his life. He was a member of St. James Lutheran Church, Muncy.

He was a volunteer member of the Warrior Run Area Fire Department.

Derek was an Eagle Scout and was heavily involved in Boy Scouts for 25 years, first as a scout and later becoming a leader. He was the assistant scoutmaster to Troop 172 of Montoursville.

He was an avid fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and Penn State Football and Wrestling. Derek enjoyed movies, amassing a large movie collection. He especially loved anything Disney or superhero related, however, Back to the Future was his favorite. Derek was also a huge Scooby Doo fan.

Most importantly, Derek was known for his humor and his kindness to everyone he met.

Surviving, in addition to his parents, are a brother, Matthew Cotner, of Turbotville, paternal grandmother, Ruth Cotner, of Turbotville; maternal grandmother, Anna Welsh, of Manchester, MD; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was predeceased by his paternal grandfather, Leroy Cotner, maternal grandfather, Carl Welsh, Sr.; uncle, Carl Welsh, Jr. and cousin, Jason Robinson.

Friends will be received from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Monday, September 7 at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 39 Paradise Street, Turbotville, where a funeral will be held at 12:30 p.m. with the Rev. Erwin Roux, officiating. A livestream of the service will be available on the church's Facebook page, Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church (Turbotville, PA), for those unable to attend.

Burial will follow in St. James Lutheran (White Church) Cemetery, Muncy.

The family will provide the flowers and suggests contributions in Derek's name be made to the Derek M. Cotner Memorial Fund and mail to Turbotville National Bank, P.O. Box 37 Turbotville, PA 17772.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grenoblefuneralhome.com.