Duane A. Garkey, of Polo, passed peacefully on Friday, February 27 at Pinecrest Manor Nursing Home, surrounded by his family. Duane was born in Mt. Morris Township on March 21, 1929 and married Carol Jean Kloepping at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mt. Morris on Nov. 1, 1953.
Duane was a long-time farmer, a Pressman at Kable Printing (Quebecor), sold Renk Seed Corn, and mowed the Fairmount Cemetery for many years after he retired.
He served in the Korean War from 1951-53 on Cheju-do Island as a radio operator. The American flag proudly flies in Gark Park.
In his free time, Duane loved playing dominoes and cards with family and friends. Duane and Carol were also part of a 500 Card Club and hosted many parties at the farm. They enjoyed taking Tri State bus trips across the country and visited Hawaii in January 1995. Duane also enjoyed cruises to the Caribbean with his son and daughter-in-law.
Duane’s 1929 Model A Ford Truck was his most cherished possession. He frequently entered car shows and won dozens of trophies. He also enjoyed driving it in parades with Carol sitting next to him, and his grandkids sitting in the back throwing out (but mostly eating) candy.
Some of Duane’s favorite things: watching “Lawrence Welk,” taking Sunday drives after church while forcing the kids to listen to Polka music, helping Carol with the Lunch Box at farm sales, and hauling grandkids around in the cart pulled by the lawn mower.
Duane was steadfast in his faith and a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Polo. He was loving, caring, genuine, honest, funny, and will be missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Carol; daughters Cindy (Mike) Sullivan of Polo, Jan of Madison; sons David (Lori) of Winnebago, Rod (Deb Bryan) of Polo; special family member Bob Venier of Dixon; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and sister Cheryl Garkey of Polo.
He is preceded in death by his parents Roy and Esther (Sudenga) Garkey, daughter Susan, and grandson Damon.
Special thanks to Pastor Terrie Wilder, Dr. Joseph Welty, and the Pinecrest Manor Nursing Home staff who lovingly cared for Duane as well as the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church or Pinecrest Manor Nursing Home.
Visitation will be held from 9:30-11:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at St. Marks Lutheran Church, 201 N. Division Ave, Polo, with services to follow at 11:00 a.m. Burial will take place at Fairmount Cemetery, Polo.
Condolences may be sent to pffh.condolences@gmail.com.
