Duane D Gilger

Duane Gilger was a practical, personable man with great love for his family, his friends and the water.

1931 marked many important events in U.S. and World history. Spain overthrew their King to become a republic, while New Delhi opened as the capital of India. In the U.S., The Empire State Building was completed and "The Star Spangled Banner" officially became the national anthem. On March 15, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Starr and Ruby Gilger welcomed their only child, Duane David.

Duane spent his childhood days exploring his Oakwood neighborhood, always looking for adventure. A curious child, Duane loved to take things apart and figure out how to put them back together, an interest that would stay with him throughout his life. Even as a boy he was also extremely ambitious, and earned extra money going door to door selling eggs from the family chickens. In addition to his sales skills, he also caddied at the Kalamazoo Country Club.

Duane's childhood wasn't all work and no play, and he loved spending lazy summer days at the family cottage on Gun Lake. He attended Oakwood Elementary as a child, then graduated from State High and continued his education at Western Michigan University where he eventually earned his degree in engineering.

During his college years, a blind date brought love into Duane's life when he met Janice Jaqua. The pair hit it of immediately, and stayed in close contact while Duane served his country in the army. Stationed in Japan for part of his service, Duane took full advantage of any challenge that came his way, including climbing Mt. Fuji. He also enjoyed trying new things and would volunteer for various jobs that he was not always qualified for, but would eagerly accept to see if he could master the task.

After he returned from his service he started seeing Janice as much as possible, and it wasn't long before they married on October 5, 1956 and quickly concentrated on starting a family. They welcomed Tom in 1957, and shortly after they were blessed with daughters Teri, born in 1959, and Tami, in 1961.

Duane was a true family man and loved nothing more than spending time with Janice and the kids. Like Duane, his children also spent their summers at the family cottage on Gun Lake, learning the love of water and boating with Duane. When they weren't vacationing at the lake, the Gilger family traveled throughout the U.S. on various camping trips, making many memories along the way.

Though his first priority was his family, Duane also devoted numerous hours to his career, working in several jobs over the years as an engineer. Duane got along easily with co-workers and was known for his ability to put those around him at ease. He was also known for his tidy bow ties, his ever-present grin and always extending his hand to everyone. Duane's last job was at Parker-Hanifan, where he worked until his retirement in 1993.

Duane was always one to keep himself busy. One of his his favorite hobby-taking things apart and putting them back together. He could fix anything with a motor, and tinkered around with some boat motors to make them faster, and over the years had rebuilt several cars. He had a passion for flying as well, and even had a private pilots license.

In 1988, the Gilger family suffered a great loss when Janice died. In 1989, Duane reconnected with a childhood friend, Sandy Mills. Her son Wayne reintroduced the pair at a Halloween party, and they quickly turned the rekindled friendship into a full-fledged romance. They were married on May 12, 1990. Sandy and Duane enjoyed traveling, and over the course of their marriage they took several cruises, traveled out west in their convertible and wintered in Florida where naturally, they had a home on the water. While in Florida, Duane continued his passion for the water and even dubbed himself "Harbor Master" of the park. When Duane wasn't working his magic on the water, he and Sandy would relax by playing cards and golfing.

Still, Florida never replaced the family cottage on Gun Lake. Gun Lake was such a special place for Duane and all of the Gilger family. Duane loved the time that he spent there and the lake was almost like a part of him. He was very active within the community and was even a member of the Gun Lake Protective Association. Duane also spent time at the lake passing the love of the water to his grandchildren, as he had done with his children before them. A wonderful grandfather, Duane was always patient and would get down and play at their level. A memorable event for the grandkids was going out on Gun Lake to watch the fireworks on the 4th of July.

Duane David Gilger was an industrious, dependable family man with a quick wit and a deep love of the water. Well-respected and well liked by all that knew him, he will be remembered for his adventurous spirit, his great love of his family and for his unwavering smile.

Duane David Gilger, 75, died on Friday, November 03, 2006 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. Learn more about Duane, view his Life Story film, and visit with his family and friends Monday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the Life Story Funeral Home, RDMG, Plainwell, 120 S. Woodhams. Funeral services will be held at 11 am Tuesday at the same location. Members of his family include his wife Sandra Mills Gilger, Son: Tom and his wife Jeanette of Mattawan, Daughters: Teri Gilger and her partner Pam Chamberlain of Maryland, Tami and her husband Mark Elzinga of Portage. Sandy 's children: Wayne and his wife Becky Mills of Otsego, Lynne and her husband Jon Burnett of Plainwell, and 5 grandchildren: Joanie and Janice Gilger, Mandy Elzinga, Kaitlyn and Nathan Mills. He follows in death his wife Janice Jaqua Gilger in 1988 and a grandson Jacob Elzinga in 2006. Memorial donations can be made to the Gun Lake Protective Association or the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.