Duane entered first grade in Muncie, Indiana. When his family returned to Shelbyville, he attended all three elementary schools: Major, Hendricks and Colescott. After school, he worked at Turner’s grocery store. In junior high and high school, he continued his paper route and worked at King’s Pantry. He enjoyed working during summers as a lifeguard at the Porter pool.

In 1938 Duane graduated from Shelbyville High School, where he had excellent grades. At graudation, he was crowned Lord Mayor, an honor which was given to the male graduate who had the highest grade point average. He applied and was accepted at DePauw University where he was a Rector scholar. He was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity.

When World War II began, Duane enlisted in the Army before the end of his senior year of college. Afraid that he might lose his scholarship, he and a few friend had to obtain each professors’ permission to finish a semester’s work in six to eight weeks. Every professor approved the requests. Duane and his friends graduated in absentia in 1942.

Before being sent to Northern France as a 1st Sergeant, Duane married Martha Jane Talley, whom he met at DePauw. He was assigned to the 228th Chemical Base Depot Company where he was responsible for feeding, housing and maintaining personnel records and payroll for 150 men. He received the Bronze Cross of War (La Croix de Guerre) for exceptional service from the French Minister of War on October 25, 1945.

After the war, Duane and Martha Jane settled in Shelbyville. He was employed by his uncle, Loren “Pat” Murphy at Murphy Funeral Service. Duane was active in the community. He was part of a team of community leaders who established SCUFFY and he was one of the first presidents. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, where he served the church in various capacities, including President of the Board of Trustees and Chairman of the Building Committee. He was a member of the American Legion and was active in many other organizations.

One of Duane’s unusual responsibilities began September 9, 1969 when Allegheny Airlines flight 853 collided with a Piper PA-28 near Fairland. Local funeral directors coordinated the response to this disaster. Duane made many of the contacts with the families to determine what they wanted to be done with their loved ones’ remains. One week after the crash, a local service was held for the 30 unidentified. More than 300 family members of deceased participated in service.

Duane and Martha Jane were married for 47 years. Martha Jane died in 1989. A son Richard preceded his parents in death. Duane marred Anna Hayes on December 1, 1989. Anna died August 4, 2012. Survivors include daughters Patricia Murphy and husband Doug Blamberg of Woodstock, Maryland; and Ann Murphy, of Indianapolis; daughter-in-law Gina Bishop, of Shelbyville;  granddaughter Allison and husband Neal Fisher of Fishers, IN; sister-in-law Kathy Murphy, of Washington, Iowa; step-son Rick and wife Jennifer Hayes and step-grandchildren Courtney and Sarah Hayes of LaGrange, IL.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, March 3, 2015, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Murphy-Parks Funeral Service and Crematory, 703 S. Harrison St. Visitation will also be on Wednesday, March 4, 2015 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., followed by services at 11:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 34 W. Washington St.

The Reverend Bob Campbell will officiate. Burial will be at Forest Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorails may be made to SCUFFY or the Blue River Community Foundation scholarship fund.

On-line Condolences may be sent to www.murphyparks.com.