Duane Witter

Of Flint, age 80, died Thursday, March 18, 2010 at Covenant Medical Center Cooper. The funeral service will take place at Miles Martin Funeral Home in Mt. Morris at 1:00pm, Monday, March 22, 2010. Pastor Joel Kaiser will officiate with cremation to follow with Military Honors. DuaneAaas family will be present to receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday, from 12:00noon until 9:00pm. In lieu of flowers, those desiring may direct memorial contributions to the Lutheran Home Frankenmuth Activities Department (music), or Alzheimer's Association. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. Duane was born December 10, 1929 in Iron Mountain, Michigan the son of Mr. and Mrs. George and Zillah (Goodchild) Witter. Duane and Viola were united in marriage June 24, 1950 in Flint, Michigan. He served in the U.S. Army from 1947 to 1948 before he received his Honorable Discharge. Duane was a Military Policeman (MP) in Lenz, Austria. In 1965, he founded Greater Flint Vending. After one year with his company, he took in a partner, his brother-in-law, Daniel Feckovic followed by two brothers-in-law, Wallace and Darold Keely, who began working there years later. Running his company for 27 years as the president, he retired in 1992. After a full day's work in the early 1980s, Sonny attended night school to earn his high school diploma, graduating at age 54, with his youngest daughter, Kelly, in 1984. In his youth, his parents dedicated him to the lord, and on March 18, 2010 he was baptized. He enjoyed playing horseshoes with his sons-in-law and cousin, Swede (Ron). He traveled out west and took summer vacations up to Traverse City to camp with his wife and daughters, and kept busy with maintaining the swimming pool for the benefit of his kids and grand kids. Duane also enjoyed bowling and playing cards, and was a lifetime member of the VFW Post # 5666 in Flushing. Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 59 years Viola AaA"PeachieAaA; four daughters, Roxanne Witter and husband Tim Long, Kim and husband Brian Bates, Denise and husband Pat Whaley and Kelly Higgins and Marty Alvarado; 14 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, whom they raised, Beverley (Keely) Feckovic, and brother, Richard AaA"ButchAaA Witter; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and family members. He was preceded in death by his parents; infant son, Robert Duane; and three sisters, Shirley, Joyce, and Beverly. A special thank you goes to the staff of the Lutheran Home Frankenmuth for their care and compassion toward Sonny, as well as to the staff workers on the floor five east of Covenant Hospital and Dr. Amin, and the ER staff. The family would like to express their heartfelt thank you to our daughter/sister, Denise (RN) for her professionalism, extra care and advice.