Duane Knackstedt, 94, passed away Friday afternoon February 12, 2016 in Englewood, OH.  Born October 29, 1921 in Conway, Kansas, he was the 2nd of three boys.  While growing up, he worked on the family farm.  He attended McPherson College, McPherson, Kansas for two years where he played football, and studied engineering.  His college career was cut short when Duane enlisted in the United States Navy and was stationed at Camp Perry, Virginia during World War II.  He served as a firefighter with the Seabees.

Duane and Mildred were married on February 12, 1943.  He was reunited with his beloved Mildred on what would have been their 73rd wedding anniversary.

Duane had a 29 year career with Halliburton Co., where he and Mildred became world travelers.  Stateside they lived in McPherson, Kansas; Eldorado, KS; Hays, Kansas; Perryton, TX;, Elkhart KS; Platteville, CO, and after retirement in Greeley, CO and then Colorado Springs, CO.  Overseas they lived in Brisbane, Australia; Melbourne, Australia; San Salvador, Brazil; Singapore, SE Asia; and Perth, Australia;   While living in Platteville, his work pace changed.  In rotation, he worked off the shore of Brazil for 30 days, then came home to Platteville for 30 days.  After Mildred’s passing Duane moved to Troy, Ohio.

Duane and Mildred had three children, Wes Knackstedt and his wife Cheryl of Fort Collins, Colorado; Janet Crago and husband Tom of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Rhonda Rich and her husband David of Troy, Ohio.  He had 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. 

Funeral service will be held at 11:00AM on Monday, February 15, 2016 at the Happy Corner Brethren Church, 7037 Union Road, Clayton, OH with Pastor Seth Hendricks officiating.  The family will receive friends from 10:00-11:00AM on Monday at the church.  Duane will be buried at Mizpah Cemetery in Platteville, Colorado on Thursday, February 18, 2016, next to his wife, Mildred.

In lieu of flowers or for memorials, the family requests that donations be made directly to Happy Corner Church of the Brethren, 7037 Union Road, Clayton, OH 45315.

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