Duane was born on October 25, 1933 in Wadena, Minnesota to John & Evelyn (Powell) Ford. He graduated from Crosby-Ironton High School, and was drafted into the army and served as tank commander. After being discharged from the army, he attended DeVry Technical Institute in Chicago, then Fort Wayne Bible College. He was ordained in 1966. He pastored churches in Chicago and East Peoria, IL, then Lansing MI. Retiring from the pastorate, Duane went to work for Sohn Linen and continued to perform weddings and funerals, teach Sunday school and provide pulpit supply. He retired from Sohn Linen in 2003 and has kept busy with his love of fishing, gardening, and attending the sporting and performance events of his 9 grandchildren. He stayed very active until the day of his stroke on January 5, 2014. He went to his heavenly home on the morning of January 23.
He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Robert Ford, Betty Menzel, Gordon Ford, and brother-in-law Bob Westvig.
He will be greatly missed by his family – his loving wife of 52 years, Myra; daughter, Nancy (Tim) Bassett, Jordan and Rachel; and son Jon (Stacy) Ford, Hannah, Natalie, Katie, Andrea, Gretchen, Isaiah and Samuel. He is also survived by siblings Stanley (Carolyn) Ford, Shirley (Frank) Sayovitz, Dean (Karen) Ford and Linda Westvig and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be on Sunday, January 26 from 2-4 and 6-8 at Gorsline-Runciman Funeral Homes, 900 E. Michigan Avenue, Lansing, MI 48912. Memorial service will be held on Monday, January 27 at 11:00 am at South Church, 5250 Cornerstone Dr, Lansing with Dr. Don Denyes and Rev. Ray Duck officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in Duane’s memory may be sent to Camp Barakel, PO Box 159, Fairview MI, 48621, Sparrow Hospice House of Mid-Michigan or First Nazarene Church, 310 Elmwood, Lansing MI, 48917.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.grlansing.com.
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