- Date Of Birth: September 9, 1937
- Date Of Death: May 11, 2020
- State: Michigan
Duane Joseph Geiger, age 82, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his wife and children the morning of Monday, May 11, 2020.
Duane was born September 9, 1937 in Butte, Montana, the son of Joseph and Gladys (Foster) Geiger.
Affectionately known as “Punky” by his family, Duane grew up in Bremerton, WA with his siblings Jeri Hudson, Lamont (Ann) Geiger, and Vicki (William) Silva.
After graduating from Bremerton High School, he joined the Air Force as an Airman (2C) flight courier/accountant, serving 4 years until his honorable discharge in 1959.
Duane relocated to Michigan where he met his wife of 56 years, Joyce (Johnson) Geiger. They were married July 27, 1963 and settled in Kalamazoo to raise 4 children, Meloni (Gary) Blok, Jeff Geiger (Terry Hoialmen), Molly (Dan) Alphenaar, and Marcy (James) Bray.
His grandchildren were such an important part of his life and they all felt his love, whether near or far away. Christopher & Casey Blok, Michael Blok & Rebecca Fox-Blok, Theresa & Chris Woloszyk, Matthew Blok (EM1), Sarah Blok (Brandon Bennett), Natalie & Paul Newendyke, Esq., Alexander & Bonnie Fernandez, Leah Fernandez, and Lucy, Norah, and Bo Bray, will all miss him greatly.
Duane was also loved by his wife’s family. Barbara Solleveld, Richard & Pat Johnson, Sam & Sheila Johnson, Louise Ambs, Bill & Sheila Johnson, and his wife’s home-care helper, niece Stephanie Stokes, were all a part of his life.
Duane loved good music, a good golf game, and telling stories from his life. Cooking for family and friends was a love language of his; many will miss his wonderful chili, spaghetti and meatballs, malts, and especially his signature roast beef dinners. He also loved through serving his wife, who suffered a paralyzing stroke in 2018. He was her caregiver and support until the end of his life.
He was preceded in death by his parents, fathers-in-law William Johnson, Sr. and Andrew Gladysz, mother-in-law Louise (Johnson) Gladysz, brothers-in-law William Solleveld and Joseph Hudson, sister-in-law Maxine Webb, son-in-law Carlos Fernandez, nephews Tim Geiger, Dean Hudson, Mike Johnson, Bruce Ambs, Dave Solleveld, and niece Kim Sink.
While Duane was not an active member of a church, he professed faith in Jesus Christ and his family finds comfort in that.
Special thanks from the family go to Duane’s primary care doctor, Dr. James Hunt and staff, as well as to Mary Zander for her care of him and his wife.
