"Ned arguably was the finest trumpet player ever to graduate from Mexico (Mo.) High School...at least in theera od band director John Willer. Ned tutored me in trumpet when I was a Jr. At MHS in 1959. I knew his entire family. Incredible talent."
In loving memory of
Edward "Ned" B. Dermody
December 28, 1939 - December 25, 2018
Edward Barnes Dermody, son of Robert V. and Rita (Barnes) Dermody, was born on December 28, 1939, in Mexico, Missouri. He passed away on Tuesday, December 25, 2018 at the Shenandoah Medical Center in Shenandoah, Iowa. He was three days from celebrating his 79th birthday.
He was better known as "Ned" to his friends, family, and radio listeners. Ned grew up in Mexico, Missouri, as the younger brother to Robert "Bob" Dermody and Donald "Patrick" Dermody. He graduated from Mexico High School with the class of 1957. While in high school, he was an active member in the Drama Club and was a talented trumpet player with the Dixie Gray Band. He also worked at the local radio station of KXEO as a DJ. Both music and theatre became lifelong hobbies, while radio broadcasting became his passion.
Following graduation, Ned attended the University of Missouri, in Columbia, where he was a member of the Marching Mizzou. Some of his memorable experiences with the band included marching in a New York City parade and the Orange Bowl in Florida. Ned continued to work at KXEO in Mexico during his college years and then was hired full-time after graduating in 1961.
On November 4, 1961, he was united in marriage to Martha Margaret Fennewald. Ned and Martha settled in Mexico for the first few years, followed by radio opportunities in Springfield, Missouri, Fort Morgan, Colorado, and St. Joseph, Missouri. During this time, their family expanded to include daughter, Diane, and two sons, Patrick and Thomas. In 1971, Ned moved his family to Shenandoah, Iowa, to take the position of News Director for KMA Radio. Shenandoah became his family's permanent location and his youngest daughter, Amy, soon completed the family.
Ned served as News Director at KMA from 1971 until 1990. He valued his coworkers and developed lifelong friendships. He was passionate about serving his listeners with the most up to date news in the area. In 1988, he was the recipient of the Jack Shelley Award for Broadcast News. Ned served on the Boards of the Radio and Television News Directors Association (RTNDA) Board (2 terms), the Northwest Broadcast News Association (3 terms), and the Iowa Broadcast News (4 terms). He received numerous production awards in Colorado, Missouri and Iowa.
In 1991, Ned became a Special Assistant to U.S. Congressman Jim Ross Lightfoot. Their working relationship and friendship developed during their broadcasting years at KMA. He was proud to serve in this capacity and enjoyed traveling with Jim across Iowa, many times with Jim piloting his own plane.
In his spare time, Ned was active in his community. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Shenandoah, where he had served on the church council, and enjoyed his years as part of St. Mary's choir. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus 3rd Degree. His involvement in the Southwest Iowa Theatre Group was also very rewarding. If you didn't see Ned on stage, he was most likely in the light and sound booth. He also had success at directing a few stage productions.
During his retirement years, Ned enjoyed traveling to visit his children and grandchildren, including his AFS daughter from Quebec, Sophie Pronovost. He was always interested in their extracurricular activities and supported their athletic events whenever possible. He was a proud father and grandfather.
Preceding Ned in death were his parents; his brothers, Bob and Pat; former wife, Martha Dermody, and many dear friends.
He is survived by his children; Diane Bredensteiner of Greeley, CO; Patrick Dermody of Summerville, SC; Thomas Dermody of Waukee, IA; Amy (Jason) Bopp of Shenandoah, Iowa; and Sophie Pronovost of Quebec, Canada. Also honoring his life are five grandsons, one granddaughter, and one great-granddaughter; and many other relatives and friends.
Funeral mass will be held 10:30am, Friday, January 4, 2019 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Shenandoah.
Visitation with the family will be held from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm, Thursday, January 3, 2019 at Hackett-Livingston Funeral Home in Shenandoah.
Cremation to follow funeral mass, burial of cremains will be held at Rose Hill Cemetery in Shenandoah at a later date.
Memorials may be directed to Southwest Iowa Theater Group, Shenandoah Education Foundation or Knights of Columbus.
Tributes
"I remember Ned as a neighbor, friend and fellow actor with SWITG. He was always upbeat and smiling....maybe a little ornery too. He will be missed by so many! My thoughts and prayers are with the family! Merideth (Knau) Maranville"
"Thoughts and prayers go out to Diane and the family. So sorry for your loss. I remember hearing your dad's voice on the radio. Much love and respect."
"Prayers for your family. Greg and Joanne Saylor Summerville SC"
"As the former pastor of St. Mary's Church, now retired, but who remembers Ned so very well. Warm, friendly, outgoing, and, ever so faithful in coming to Mass at St. Mary's Church. In particular, I recall that Ned almost always sat near the back of the Church. It was his favorite pew! He had a tremendous love for his family, the Shenandoah community, that is, it's well being; and, his church. All these things were so important to him. One must also say that his job at KMA Radio was not only a job, but his passion and joy as he did his job in an outstanding manner. His voice was a familiar and dear voice that many people for quite a few years associated with KMA Radio. May God's Holy Light Eternal Shine Upon His beloved Servant, Ned. May the loving presence of Jesus our Savior give his peace and comfort to all the members of his family; and, to all who knew Ned as a dear and beloved friend. Most Sincerely, Father Vern."
"Long before we became friends the first voice I heard every weekday was your Dad's giving the morning news on KMA.. He was a great newsman and a wonderful person. I will miss my phone calls and visits when I was home. He was very proud of his family and always talked about them. My thoughts are with all of you. "
"When I was in high school in the early 1980s, I participated in a journalism competition and entered the radio news category, which Ned helped judge. Honestly, I don't remember what he said about my entry, but I remember thinking that it was a BIG DEAL that this celebrity -- someone I heard on the radio every single day -- was a judge! KMA will never sound the same without Ned at the microphone!"