Duane Wade

Duane Ruben Wade was born on December 21, 1960 in Indianapolis, IN. Duane was born to Samuel Ruben Wade and Mary Ellen Wade. Duane attended John Marshall High School in Indianapolis and then went on to Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana where he received his Bachelor’s in Social Work. Duane graduated with his Masters in Social Work from IUPUI. After graduation from Indiana University, he started his career as a youth counselor at Edna Martin Christian Center in Indianapolis. Duane then joined Fairbanks Hospital where he worked as an Addictions Counselor. Duane continued his career progression at the Veteran's Home in Lafayette, Indiana. His passion for helping others and youth especially led him to The Children’s Bureau of Indianapolis where he held the position of Vice President. After having worked several years at the Children’s Bureau, Duane decided that he could better serve his community by opening up his own business, aptly named Families Connected. Families Connected was his pride and joy, connecting families back together through tough times and hardships while ensuring a safe environment. This was his true passion. Duane’s whole life was about family, protecting family, protecting kids, and it all came together in Families Connected. Duane met his wife Elizabeth (Liz) at Indiana University. They were married on May 20, 1989. After enjoying their lives as a couple, they decided that their lives would be that much more fulfilled by becoming parents. Nalen Ruben Wade, their son, and Maren Elizabeth Wade, their daughter, completed their beautiful family. Duane loved his family. Family always came first. Duane departed this life on April 30, 2023 surrounded and embraced by his family at his side. He was preceded in death by his parents Samuel Ruben Wade and Mary Ellen Wade; sister Pamela June Strader; brother Larry Allan Wade. Duane leaves behind his sister Daryl Ellena Wade and his brother Jerry Wade and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, in-laws and friends. Look around: Duane is here with us and will always be with us. We will shed many tears today and tomorrow, but always remember the love, happiness and commitment to family that Duane has always brought into our lives. Hold on to that tightly. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.crownhill.org for the Wade family.