John Duhan

Born on March 17, 1925 in Paw Paw, MI to Joseph and Anna (Ziewacz) Duhan, John was the middle of three children. Anna died when John was 12, Helen was 16, and Bob was 8. Joseph married Antoinette Rogowski who added her four children, Helen, Eugene, Wanda, and Joseph to the family. They considered themselves brothers and sisters, not step-siblings. John and his siblings grew up on a farm that still stands on County Road 657 in Paw Paw. They worked hard producing asparagus and maintaining vineyards.

John graduated from Paw Paw High School in 1943 where he participated in many sports. After graduation he joined the United States Marine Corps and was stationed in the South Pacific where he proudly served his country during World War II. John had a strong work ethic and sense of patriotism.

Upon discharge, John returned to his parent’s farm and found work as a machinist at KVP. There he met a pretty young lady named Clara Drydyk and fell in love. They were married at St. Augustine Church in Kalamazoo on August 31, 1951.

The young couple started their married life together in Paw Paw where their son, Bob, was born in 1953. Later they moved to Kalamazoo, back to Paw Paw, and eventually back to Kalamazoo. John supported his family as a machinist and tool and die maker at Checker Motors and later at General Motors for twenty one years.

John was a fair-minded father. Honesty was a trait John exemplified. He loved boating and swimming. The family had cottages at Gravel Lake in Lawton, Long Lake in Portage, and Gun Lake in Shelbyville over the years.

John and Clara were members of the Moose Club, Elks Club and Veterans of Foreign Wars where they socialized regularly with family and friends.

After retirement John and Clara wintered for several years in Bradenton, FL to escape the long, cold MI winters. John purchased a new car every two years that he kept in pristine condition. He was loyal to General Motors with his Oldsmobiles and Buicks, and a Cadillac. He took great pride in his cars.

When John and Clara became grandparents to Julia and later to Jack, John developed a special bond with each of them. He built a sandbox for Julia for her first birthday that would have survived a nuclear attack. It had to be done correctly for her safety. John and Clara spent many hours attending the kids’ sporting events, school concerts, and dance recitals. John shared his love of baseball caps with Jack. The kids had the privilege to go to Busch Gardens in FL with Grandpa and Grandma as well as Disneyworld. Jack and Grandpa often discussed sports statistics from the time Jack was quite young.

For enjoyment John took several daily walks stopping at Walgreens and McDonalds. He was always interested in the weather and news. He was an ardent WKZO listener and Kalamazoo Gazette and Courier Leader reader.

John will be remembered as strong, dependable, honest, and respectful. He was a quiet man who did not display his emotions easily. He did not complain. He was a faithful husband and devoted father and grandfather. Hours before his death he was able to tell Clara that he loved her and would miss her. He reminisced with Bob and Jane reviewing his life and sharing memories of special times with Julia and Jack. He was so grateful for all that God had given him. What was important was not the work he had done, money he had earned or things he had. It was the time spent with family and friends. Hours before his death John said, “Lord, take me home.” He was a devoted Catholic man.

John Joseph Duhan died peacefully on April 28, 2009 at Bronson Hospital with his family at his side. John was born March 17, 1925 in Paw Paw, MI the son of Joseph and Anna (Ziewacz) Duhan. He served as a Marine during WWII. John worked at General Motors as a tool and die maker, retiring in 1987. He was a member of the VFW, the Moose and the Elks. John was preceded in death by 3 brothers; Robert, Eugene, Joseph and one sister, Helen. On August 31, 1951 he was united in marriage with Clara (Drydyk) Duhan who survives. Also surviving is one son, Robert J. (Jane) Duhan of Kalamazoo, 2 grandchildren; Julia Duhan of Chicago, John “Jack” Duhan of Kalamazoo, 2 sisters; Wanda Kobe, Helen Jelinski, and several nieces and nephews. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday May 9, 2009, 10 am at St. Augustine Cathedral. The family will receive friends from 9:30 am until the time of Mass. Private Interment will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Paw Paw. Please visit John’s web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can sign his guestbook or share a memory or photo. Memorial contributions may be made to Rose Arbor Hospice www.hospiceswmi.org . Arrangements by Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler-Kalamazoo 6080 Stadium Drive 375-2900.