Duane Richard Van Pelt

On Tuesday, July 22, 2014, we lost a wonderful loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Duane R Van Pelt. In Duane's heart of hearts, it must have been time to be with Jayne, which gives us, their children, great comfort. Duane was born on November 10, 1924, in Pipestone, MN, to Dick and Clara Van Pelt.

At the age of six, Duane and his family moved to the Los Angeles area where he resided until he joined the United States Navy in 1942, and was stationed on the USS Baldwin, DD 624, as a gunner's mate. He was very proud and honored to have served our country in the Navy during World War II. He met and married the love of his life, Luella "Jayne" Biddy in 1946. They resided in the Los Angeles County area until they moved to the Central Valley in 1960.

Duane was a Divisional Manager for Dolly Madison Cakes for 35 years. Besides his family and work, Duane loved to play golf, which he played on his days off. Upon his retirement in 1985, Jayne was given a special certificate for being a widow to a golf enthusiast who played five days a week.

He is preceded in death by Jayne, his wife of 67 years; both of his parents, Dick and Clara; and his sister Helena.

Duane is survived by his children, Richard and wife Frances, Kathryn and husband Ken, Timothy and wife Jane, Nancy and husband Hank, and Teri and husband Blair; seven grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law, Derrel and wife Barbara, and Glenn and wife Liann; and many nieces and nephews.

On behalf of our family, we would like to express our heart felt gratitude to Dr. Dizon; the VA Central California Health Care System; and the care givers who took exceptional care of him in his final days.

Visitation will be held at Stephens & Bean Chapel on Thursday, July 24, 2014, from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m.

A Graveside Service will be held at Belmont Memorial Park on Fri- day, July 25, 2014, at 10:00 a.m.

Remembrances can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, Fresno Chapter, 4899 Belfort Rd. #300, Jacksonville, FL 32256.

Arrangements under the direction of Stephens & Bean Funeral Chapel, Fresno, CA.