DUANE RICHARD BEAVER,
91, Cass City, died following a short illness Friday, June 14, 2013 in DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital in Commerce Township. He was born October 9, 1921 in Fenton to Glenn Campbell and Susan Mae (Kaylor) Beaver. He married Norie McClusky March 15, 1942 in Holly. She died January 30, 1975.
Duane worked for Pontiac Motors after high school taking a military leave to join the US Army Air Corp in 1942. He was inducted into the 33rd Infantry Division on the West Coast. He passed the test and graduated from Multi Engine Pilot school in 1944. "Beaver" was assigned a crew and flew missions out of England to Germany. In total he flew 15 missions in the B17 Flying Fortress before the war ended. He returned to the United States with all his crew members. Duane returned home to take his job back with Pontiac Motors. He soon moved on to the City of Pontiac Fire Department for three years. He then took a job in a tool shop learning the trade of tool making and became a Journeyman Toolmaker with his journeyman card signed by Walter Reuther. Duane worked as a toolmaker for Chrysler and for General Motors retiring in l987 at the age of 65.
Duane was a talented tinsmith, carpenter and stone mason. After retirement he completely restored an 1850s farmhouse in Davisburg. He cut the stone for a new foundation and made the stained glass for the cabinet fronts. He moved to Cass City to start Beaver's Boulder Sales. He loved the stones and how beautiful they are when they are cut and he loved working on the equipment to gather the stones. Duane had a great sense of humor and loved a good joke. He was a great conversationalist and story teller. He was caring and perceptive. Duane had a great love of jazz that started during his years in the military. He loved working with wood and watching wild life with a good cigar. Duane was a member of Caro American Legion Post #7.
Duane is survived by his daughters: Carolyn "Sue" Gibson of Clarkston, Cheryl (Bruce) Johnson of Waterford; grandchildren: Tim Gibson, Brian (Kari) Gibson, Kelly (Roger) Franklin, Keri (Daniel Batten) Johnson, Richard "Rick" (Brenda) Johnson; great grandchildren: Kadie, Jon, Brady, Liam, Brennan, Kailey, Nolan, Carter, Morgan, Dakotah, Kaiden; nieces and nephews: Larry Beatty, Jill Thomason and Jan Parton. Duane is preceded in death by his son-in-law, Paul Gibson; sisters: Bernice Reed, Mildred Beatty, Edith Johnston and Burtine Crawford.
Funeral service held 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 19, 2013 in Kranz Funeral Home Cass City with Brad Speirs of Novesta Church of Christ officiating. Interment will be in Elkland Township Cemetery. Pallbearers for Mr. Beaver: Tim Gibson, Brian Gibson, Roger Franklin, Daniel Batten, Rick Johnson, Scott Moore. Memorials may be made to Caro American Legion Post #7. Family and friends may share memories, prayers and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com.
Visitation: 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, June 18, 2013 in Kranz Funeral Home - Cass City
Arrangements by
Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, Michigan
Debra L. Kranz (989) 872-2195
91, Cass City, died following a short illness Friday, June 14, 2013 in DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital in Commerce Township. He was born October 9, 1921 in Fenton to Glenn Campbell and Susan Mae (Kaylor) Beaver. He married Norie McClusky March 15, 1942 in Holly. She died January 30, 1975.
Duane worked for Pontiac Motors after high school taking a military leave to join the US Army Air Corp in 1942. He was inducted into the 33rd Infantry Division on the West Coast. He passed the test and graduated from Multi Engine Pilot school in 1944. "Beaver" was assigned a crew and flew missions out of England to Germany. In total he flew 15 missions in the B17 Flying Fortress before the war ended. He returned to the United States with all his crew members. Duane returned home to take his job back with Pontiac Motors. He soon moved on to the City of Pontiac Fire Department for three years. He then took a job in a tool shop learning the trade of tool making and became a Journeyman Toolmaker with his journeyman card signed by Walter Reuther. Duane worked as a toolmaker for Chrysler and for General Motors retiring in l987 at the age of 65.
Duane was a talented tinsmith, carpenter and stone mason. After retirement he completely restored an 1850s farmhouse in Davisburg. He cut the stone for a new foundation and made the stained glass for the cabinet fronts. He moved to Cass City to start Beaver's Boulder Sales. He loved the stones and how beautiful they are when they are cut and he loved working on the equipment to gather the stones. Duane had a great sense of humor and loved a good joke. He was a great conversationalist and story teller. He was caring and perceptive. Duane had a great love of jazz that started during his years in the military. He loved working with wood and watching wild life with a good cigar. Duane was a member of Caro American Legion Post #7.
Duane is survived by his daughters: Carolyn "Sue" Gibson of Clarkston, Cheryl (Bruce) Johnson of Waterford; grandchildren: Tim Gibson, Brian (Kari) Gibson, Kelly (Roger) Franklin, Keri (Daniel Batten) Johnson, Richard "Rick" (Brenda) Johnson; great grandchildren: Kadie, Jon, Brady, Liam, Brennan, Kailey, Nolan, Carter, Morgan, Dakotah, Kaiden; nieces and nephews: Larry Beatty, Jill Thomason and Jan Parton. Duane is preceded in death by his son-in-law, Paul Gibson; sisters: Bernice Reed, Mildred Beatty, Edith Johnston and Burtine Crawford.
Funeral service held 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 19, 2013 in Kranz Funeral Home Cass City with Brad Speirs of Novesta Church of Christ officiating. Interment will be in Elkland Township Cemetery. Pallbearers for Mr. Beaver: Tim Gibson, Brian Gibson, Roger Franklin, Daniel Batten, Rick Johnson, Scott Moore. Memorials may be made to Caro American Legion Post #7. Family and friends may share memories, prayers and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com.
Visitation: 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, June 18, 2013 in Kranz Funeral Home - Cass City
Arrangements by
Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, Michigan
Debra L. Kranz (989) 872-2195
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