This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, Derek Silkebaken, 42, born on July 8, 1973 and passed away on August 29, 2015. We will remember him forever.

Derek Martin Silkebaken was born to Judy and Steve Silkebaken in Ames, Iowa on July 8, 1973.  He was named Derek, after Derek and the Dominos and Derek Sanderson, a hockey player. His middle name,  Martin, was to honor of his father, grandfather and great grandfather who all had it for their middle name.Derek was the first born grandchild of Betty and Dale Lint and Madrinne and Robert Silkebaken family.

From the start, Derek loved to sing.  He first proclaimed that he would sing high opera when he was 4 years old when he stood on Grandma Betty’s hearth and gave a concert for everyone who would listen.  Derek lived in Iowa until 1984  when Derek and his family moved to Florissant, Missouri. Derek continued to practice his singing skill with McClure North Chorus and with the Hawthorn players in Florissant, Missouri.

During his high school and college years, he was in over 20 different musicals like, Fiddler on the Roof, The Rothschild’s and Into the Woods.  Derek was recognized for his singing skill.  He was awarded a scholarship for singing at Mizzou, starred in Guys and Dolls at the Golden Rod Show Boat and was a member of the Back Lot singers at Six Flags.  For six years, Derek sang with the St. Louis Symphony Chorus which included a trip to Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Derek moved to Taichung Taiwan to work on completing his education.  Derek interviewed at Feng Chia University and was awarded a full scholarship. He lived in Taichung for seven years.  While he was going to school he taught English at a Taiwan bushy. He completed his BA and received  an IMBA in 2015.  Derek continued to sing while he was in Taiwan.  He auditioned and joined the Taiwanese National Chorus and sang at the 100 years celebration.  Derek’s last singing group was the Our Lady of Guadalupe church choir where he used his voice to sing praises to Jesus.  He had attended the church and sang the Sunday before he passed away August 29, 2015,

Derek is survived by his mother Judy and his brothers, Jason and Jonathan, aunts and uncles Sandy Lint, Diane (Lint) and Carl Baker, John and Pat Lint and Pat and Bob Silkebaken.  Derek was an uncle to his niece, Kennedy Madrinne and nephew, Nick Bazzell, children of  Amy and Jason Silkebaken.  He is also survived by his cousins and their spouses; Ryan and Erin Baker, Aimee Baker and Jake Underwood, Zach Lint,  Jordon and Amanda Lint, Eva (Lint) and Chris Helps,  Sadie (Hildebrand) and  Dominic Gasparotto and  Nicole and Jake Hildebrand.

A memorial service was held at the Our Lady of Guadalupe in Taichung, Taiwan on September 21, 2015.

A Visitation is being held October 26, at Destiny Church of St. Louis with doors opening at 5:30 with Eulogy being read at 6:30.

The family will hold a memorial service at Granger Assumption Church starting with a visitation at 1:30 with the service at 2:00 on October 28, 2015.  Derek will be buried in the Lint family plot in Sunny Hill Cemetery next to his Grandpa and Grandma Lint.

In Lieu of flowers, go to the website forestparkforever.org/tributes for a tree planting.