- Date Of Birth: August 17, 1928
- Date Of Death: December 9, 2016
- State: Michigan
Duane M. Allen, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed from this life December 9, 2016 in his home in Midland surrounded by his family. Duane was born August 17, 1928, in Grand Rapids, Michigan to George and Frances Allen.
Duane graduated from Zeeland High School, Zeeland, Michigan. Following high school, Duane attended and graduated from Western Michigan University with a B.S. in Business Administration. Duane joined the US Air Force and served as a company clerk in a medical unit in Korea. That service further inspired an interest in medicine that began to grow from jobs as an ambulance driver and orderly while in college. So, when Duane returned from Korea, he attended the University of Michigan and then Wayne State University School of Medicine where he earned a Doctor of Medicine degree.
Just before starting medical school, Duane married Ann Carolyn Brown on August 28, 1955 in Allegan, Michigan. Duane and Ann celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary this year.
Following medical school, Duane and Ann settled in Hanover, Michigan where Duane provided medical care to the community for 20 years. Following those years of service, Duane held medical positions with Conoco Oil Company, Ponca City, Oklahoma; Scott & White, Temple, Texas, and Saginaw Cooperative Medical Center, Saginaw, Michigan. Duane was a Charter Member of the American Academy of Family Physicians.
In addition to his love of medicine, Duane was an avid reader who also enjoyed hunting, fishing, sailing, and woodworking. He also enjoyed flying and held a private pilot’s license for several years. He especially enjoyed gatherings and adventures with family and friends.
Duane is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Ann; his children: son Jeffery (Jeff) and his wife Linda of Midland, MI; daughter Margaret (Peg) Allen and her husband Bill Sonnenburg of St. Louis, MO; son William (Bill) of Abilene, TX; and daughter Susan (Sue) Postelwait and her husband Darren of Abilene, TX; granddaughter, Ashley Manfred and her husband Mike of New York City; grandson Duane Allen and his wife Krista of Indianapolis, IN; and sisters-in-law: Jean Allen and Audrey Allen of Zeeland MI, Nancy Allen of Roswell, GA; and Isabelle Brown of Jackson, MI as well as several nieces and nephews .Duane was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Richard (Dick), Dee, and David Allen; and his brother-in-law Denniston (DI) Brown.