Derrick Lee Sistrunk

Derrick Lee Sistrunk, 38, of Middletown, PA, passed away suddenly on February 21st, 2025.

Born on June 17, 1986, in Gettysburg, PA, Derrick was the son of Terry Sistrunk, Sr., and the late Ethel Howard. 

He graduated from Gettysburg High School where he received numerous recognitions, awards, and honors for his high school Track & Field and Football careers. 

Derrick lived a large life filled with passion, kindness, and an unwavering dedication to helping others. He was full of adventure, and he loved life. He wanted everyone to smile and laugh just as much as he did. He had a passion for music, and you could catch him always listening to something. 

He had a love for football, basketball, track, fishing, and volunteer work. But Derrick’s greatest love was his family. He adored spending time with them as often as possible. 

Derrick enjoyed doing volunteer work and visited North Carolina recently to aid in Hurricane Disaster Relief Efforts with his wife, Mackenzie. He planned on returning this year to continue that work due to the impact that it had made on his life. 

Derrick is preceded in death by his mother, Ethel Howard, Grandfather, Roosevelt “Slim” Sistrunk, and Maternal Grandmother Gladys Howard. 

Derrick is survived by his Wife, Mackenzie (Ruhland) Sistrunk, whom he had the honor of marrying on February 4, 2025. He has three daughters, Taryn, Mikaela, and Reagan; and two sons, Zeek and Jaxson, as well as a grandson Elias. Three brothers, Terry Jr., D’Angelo, and Eric, as well as a sister Victoria. Grandmother Shirley, Uncle Freddy and Jeffery, and numerous nephews and nieces. He also leaves behind a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins on his mother’s side. 

A Celebration of Life will be held in honor of Derrick at the Brownsville Church of God in Fayetteville, PA. Services will be private and reserved for close family and friends only. A repast will follow the service from 3-5 pm at the Gettysburg Recreational Park.  

Instead of flowers, donations can be made to Baptists on Mission, Mud Creek Church in Hendersonville, NC where Derrick and Mackenzie did their volunteer work. This experience changed Derrick’s life, and he wanted to return so that he could continue to help people where and when it was needed.