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Duane Donald Lucas, ae 85, of Three Rivers, passed away Wednesday, February 5, 2020.
He was born to Donald and Matie (Smith) Lucas on June 7, 1934 at the Lucas farmhouse on Lucas Road in Fabius Township, Three Rivers.
He attended Pleasant Hill School as a child and was the last President of the board before consolidating with Three Rivers School system. A 1952 Three Rivers High School graduate, Duane liked to attend all Three Rivers home football and basketball games, and some wrestling matches.
On February 19, 1956, he married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Elizabeth “Betty” Woodall. They always did everything together and you never saw one without the other.
Duane worked at Fairbanks Morse, Whitehead Tool & Die, Continental Can, and Pioneer Seed Corn; he retired as a fireman for GM Hydra-Matic. He also was a farmer for many years.
He served in the U.S. Army for two years, received an honorable discharge, and was a member of the American Legion Arthur E. Stears Post #223 in Constantine.
Duane spent 22 years as a rural fireman with the Lockport-Fabius-Park Fire Department, attended the Corey Church of the Nazarene and was proud to be a Golden Eagle at Three Rivers Aerie #2303. He enjoyed going to “Popcorn” at Corky’s with all the guys every Wednesday afternoon. He coached FOP baseball and Rocket Football for many years.
He and Betty enjoyed 18 winters in Apache Junction, Ariz., where he loved to metal detect for treasures. One of his favorite things to do at his home in Michigan was mow the lawn.
Remaining to cherish Duane’s memory are his wife, Betty; son, Jeff (Kim) Lucas; daughter, Rhonda (Tim) Bishop; grandchildren, Josh (Deanna) Lucas, Ryan (Ariel) Lucas, Lucas (Jessica) Bishop and Lacie (Adam) Bishop-Deer; 15 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Richard Schug; several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Willard Lucas; sisters, Elna Schug, Mary VanHorn, Katheryn Terrill and Donna Pashby-Truckenmiller.
In keeping with his wishes, cremation has been conducted and visitation will be held on Thursday, February 13, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. with memorial service beginning at 12:00 p.m. noon at Hohner Funeral Home with Pastor Gary Carr officiating. Private interment of cremains will be held in the spring.
Memorials may be directed to Corey Church of the Nazarene Building Fund or to the Fabius Park Fire Department. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
