Duane K. Valkner

VALKNER, Duane K.
Climax Lifelong resident of Climax, Duane K. Valkner, passed away early Wednesday morning, January 2, 2008 at Borgess Medial Center in Kalamazoo, from complications of leukemia. He was born January 14, 1933 in Kalamazoo, the son of the late Bessie Valkner Dean. Duane was a veteran of the United States Army serving during the Korean Conflict. Duane seldom missed an opportunity to give back to his community in his quiet and unassuming way, and without expectations for recognition. Whether working to build athletic fields at the school, making sure that baseball teams had an adequate supply of Gatorade at tournament time, running the time clock at basketball games, or hanging Christmas decorations in the village, he gave freely of his time. An avid sports fan and supporter of all sports at Climax-Scotts Community Schools, he had served as President of the Athletic Boosters. He also was a member, and past Commander, of American Legion Post 465. Duane had also served on the Climax Village Council and was a past President of the Climax Rotary Club. He was a member of Climax Prairie Lodge 59 Masonic Temple and the Royal Maple Leaf #291 Eastern Star. Many happy hours were spent in the Climax Bowling League and Climax Golf League. Duane was a member of the Climax Township Fire Department for 45 years and served as Assistant Chief for many years. A 1951 graduate of Climax High School, Duane was inducted into the Climax-Scotts Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004. Many loaves of homemade bread and other baked goodies were dropped off at his home as thanks for the vegetables he grew in his large garden and shared with many. There was frequently a "free-help yourself" sign in his front yard so that folks would use his excess production. During his retirement years, Duane's love of vegetable gardening and growing things extended to helping his son-in-law, Larry, and granddaughter, Kelly, at Avalon Farms. He spent every weekday morning working in the tomato greenhouse and joined the coffee break group at the Farm Bureau across from the farm to keep up on the local "news". Duane spent his working years at Floyd Wonser in Battle Creek, Harre and Fink of Vicksburg, Clark Equipment in Battle Creek and retired from Durametallic Flowserve in Kalamazoo. On June 21, 1952, he was united in marriage to Bonnie B. Schneider, who survives, in Climax. Also surviving are three daughters, Brigette Larry Leach of Climax, Karen Donald Anderson of Kalamazoo, and Cynthia Lyle Carlson of Climax; four grandchildren, Kelly Leach of Climax, Kevin Cathy Leach of Vicksburg, Courtney Ben Salyer of Haslett, and Joshua Carlson and his special friend, Sarah Stanton, of Climax; two great-grandchildren, Natalie Leach and Lane Leach; step-granddaughter, Stacy Robert Anderson-Johnson of Wake Forest, NC; two brothers, Paul Linda Dean of Otsego and Allen Karen Dean of Kalamazoo; special cousin, William Darlene Valkner of Sheridan, IL; three sisters-in-law, Thelma Taylor of East Leroy, Joyce Jack Harrison of Climax, and Leila Roger Knowles of Climax; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Preceding him in death is his mother, Bessie Dean; step-father Frank Dean; one brother, Charles Dean; father and mother-in-law, Charles and Pauline Scheider. Services for Duane will be at 2:00 PM on Saturday, January 5 at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Climax Chapel, 205 E. Maple Street, with Rev. James Dyke officiating. Family and friends may visit with the family from 2-4 PM & 6-8 PM on Friday, January 4 at the funeral home. Private interment will be in Prairie Home Cemetery, Climax. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be directed to Climax-Scotts Athletic Boosters, Climax Fire & Rescue Association, or a charity of one?s choice. www.langelands.com 343-1508