Plans for the business began in the fall of 1994 with the purchase of a piece of land at the north edge of Keokuk near the McCredie Park Little League complex. Ground was broken and construction of the building's shell occurred in November and December 1994. Much of the inside work was done by family members.

Mike Derr grew up in a car family. The son of IMCA racing champion Ernie Derr, he enjoyed his dad's occupation, helping in the garage and later racing for a while himself. A former car salesman, he also taught business at Central Lee High School for seven years.

For many years Mike had thoughts of opening his own auto business. In the fall of 1994, Mike and wife, Barb, felt the time was right to pursue his dream. Their son, Bruce, who started selling cars in 1991 and also had a longtime interest in automobiles and the car business, joined his parents in opening Derr Motor Company.

Bruce's wife, Melissa, is director of the E.T.S. program at Southeastern Community College.
Barb, who began working for the company as a bookkeeper, left First Community Bank in September 1997 to join Mike and Bruce on a full-time basis. She worked evenings at home until the business grew enough to require a day-time office helper. Today, she shares office duties with Verlene Niebuhr, who joined the company in February 2002.

The newest addition to the staff at Derr Motor Co. is Pete Toubekis. Pete brings more than 15 years of experience to Derr Motor Co., having been in business with his father, Spiro Toubekis, in Warsaw, Ill., at Warsaw Auto Sales and most recently in Keokuk at Keokuk Auto. Pete and Bruce have known each other for a long time, having been classmates in Keokuk.

Derr Motor Company offers quality pre-owned vehicles at fair and competitive prices. In acquiring vehicles, the Derrs try to be selective, with quality and value their main concerns so their customers can make purchases they truly feel good about. Having a family-owned business can be both fun and hectic. It is next to impossible to take time off together, according to the Derrs. But the rewards outweigh the disadvantages.

"In a family business you are working as a team, toward a common goal. Our family has become closer since working together"-- Mike said.

‘We believe in treating our customers the way we would like to be treated ourselves, by being attentive to their needs, being good listeners and making the ownership experience as easy and enjoyable as possible,” --Bruce said.