John Leonard Duell

John Leonard Duell, age 91, passed away peacefully at The Carlyle House Renaissance Memory Care unit on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. John was born October 11, 1933, in Dayon, Ohio, to the late John P. and Christine (Kunkel) Duell.

John is survived by his loving wife, Barbara (Tatar), four children: David (Karen), Bellbrook, Ohio; Diane Esq. (Frank) Richmond, Virginia; Catherine, Springboro, Ohio; and Christopher, Bellbrook, Ohio. He is also survived by one brother, Norbert (Kathleen), of Casstown, Ohio. Five grandchildren: Heather (Brandon), Walton, Ohio; Holly (Todd) Shelton, Lancaster, Ohio; Jennifer (Jeremy) Samudio, Riverside, Ohio; John (Cheryl) Duell, Troy, Ohio, and Hunter Lewis Miller, Springboro, Ohio; twelve great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; and long-time friend, John Retter, Kettering, Ohio.

John graduated from Chaminade High School, Class of 1950 and he received his Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering and Mathematics Degree from the University of Dayton, in 1955.

June of 1955, John joined Frigidaire Division of General Motors, as a Test Engineer, for laundry products. On September 24, 1955, he married his wife, Barbara (Tatar), at the Catholic Church of Resurrection of Dayton, Ohio.

John was called for duty in the military (army) in October of 1955. He was assigned to the 3rd Armored Division (Spearhead) as an Administration Officer of Co. B, 1220 Ordinance, in Glenhausen, Germany. In September 1957, John received the 3rd Armored Division (Spearhead) Achievement Award, presented in Frankfurt, Germany, by Colonel R.W. Porter Jr. This award was given for John’s faithful and efficient performance of duty and outstanding service to the United States Army.

Upon Returning to the United States, John and Barbara purchased their home in Bellbrook, Ohio. John rejoined Frigidaire in October, 1957 and he remained there until the plant was sold and closed in 1979.

John was a Scoutmaster for 8 years, for Troop 3, in Bellbrook, Ohio. As a Scoutmaster, John earned the Scouter’s Training Award, Simon Kenton District Merit Award, and both Catholic Scouters awards – The Bronze Pelican Award and the St. George Award.

John continued his career in 1979 at Detroit Diesel Allison Transmission Division of General Motors, in military engineering. His focus was working on the X1100 Main Battle Tank transmission. John would tell his friends, “I can’t take any of the parts to my desk to work on”. John also received many Certificates of Appreciation for the on-schedule delivery of the first X1100-3 B Tank transmission. John was also a recipient of the GM Chairman’s Honor Award.

John was active in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Army Reserves, retiring as a Major.

In the fall of 2003, John retired from General Motors Corp. after 48 years of service.

John was a devout member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, in Indianapolis, Indiana.

John will be greatly missed by his family and friends, whose lives he touched.

The family will receive friends and loved ones from 9:30am – 10:30am, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow, at St. Charles Catholic Church, 4500 Ackerman Blvd., Kettering, Ohio 45429. A luncheon will follow at Kohler Banquet Center, 4572 Presidential Way, Kettering, Ohio. Interment will be held privately at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association, D.E.L.T.A. Rescue, P.O. Box 9, Glendale, California, 91209; The Humane Society of Greater Dayton, 1661 Nicholas Rd., Dayton, Ohio 45417; or a donation of your choice.