Duane was released from the constraints of his physical body and went to be with his Lord Jesus Christ on September 15, 2018. Following his November 2012 stroke and head injury while hunting in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Duane went through hospitalization and rehabilitation. For five years he enjoyed a quiet lifestyle at the home of his daughter, Carol, welcoming visits from friends and enjoying occasional afternoon outings. During parts of May, June and August 2018, Duane was hospitalized, wrestling with a number of health concerns. In September he had begun working with occupational, physical and speech therapists at Dimondale’s Nursing Care Center, with the goal of returning home with Carol. God had other plans and Duane was called to his Heavenly Home, after 10 days in the center, surrounded by friends and family, slipping peacefully into eternity.
Born on May 10, 1931, Duane grew up in Lansing and attended Eastern High School. He enjoyed discussing and hearing the ideas of others, never hesitating to launch serious debate. The quote beside his photo in Eastern’s yearbook, The Lantern, suggested Duane “. . . would stop St. Peter’s roll call to ask a question.” He enjoyed Sunday family dinners, and when not stirring up debate would ponder and pose deep questions, such as, “What do you suppose the machine looks like that stuffs the pimentos in green olives?”
Graduating from Eastern in 1949, Duane married his high school sweetheart Mary Lou Sabrosky, in the unfinished basement of the Wesleyan Methodist Church (corner of Magnolia and Michigan) in 1950, and enjoyed 61 years with her. Over time the church relocated to Lake Lansing Rd. with the name changed to Faith Wesleyan, and then to Faith Church. Through the transitions, Duane and Mary Lou greatly treasured their church friends, spending decades with them, enjoying meals, travel and field trips.
Following service with the U.S. Army as a First Lieutenant in Korea, Duane attended Michigan State University (B.A.) and University of Michigan (Juris Doctor). He practiced law in the Lansing area for over 50 years, his general practice consisting of Domestic Relations, Probate, Real Estate, Corporate, Tax, Bankruptcy and Criminal. Prior to entering private practice Duane served as an Ingham County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for 3-1/2 years. He was a member of the American Bar Association, the State Bar of Michigan and the Ingham County Bar Association. A member of the Ingham County Domestic Relations Mediation Committee, Duane assisted in drafting and presenting proposed Domestic Relations Mediation Rules adopted by Ingham County. He taught Domestic Relations part-time at Lansing Community College, originally developing and teaching the course in 1975 and 1976. Duane was a residential home builder during his college and law school years, financing his education with the sale of houses built during the summer months.
Duane loved the outdoors. He enjoyed hunting with friends and especially appreciated the opportunity to go on safari in Africa. Camping and fishing were also among his favorite pastimes, and he enjoyed these activities with his wife, family and friends countless times over the years. A highlight was the opportunity to take a fly-in fishing trip to the Arctic circle with his father Sidney.
Duane is survived and missed by daughters Carol Jones and Sandy (Keith) Nelson, and son
John (Cheryl) Hildebrandt; grandchildren Britton, Ian and Haley Hildebrandt, Leyna (Rick)
Hebden, Kate (Dan) Nix and Mattie Nelson; great-grandchildren Mason, Riley and Charlotte
(“Charlie”) Hebden; sisters Carrie, Helen, Sarah, Floydean, Donna and Katie, plus special friend and caregiver Susan Ragland. Duane was preceded in death by his wife Mary Lou; his parents Sidney and Leola Mae; twin sister Darlene, along with sisters Sherry and Cindy, and stepmother Helen. Duane’s family extends special thanks to Great Lakes Caring and the Dimondale Nursing Care facility, for their kind care and support.
A tribute to his life will be held at 11:00AM Tuesday, September 25, 2018 at Faith Church, 2300 Lake Lansing Rd. in Lansing. Duane was always quick to help others. We encourage those wishing to remember Duane to “pay it forward” by making a gift to their charity of choice in his honor.
On line condolences and memories may be shared at www.grlansing.com.
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