Duane Gilbert Newman

Well done, good and faithful servant. Duane Gilbert Newman, 94, of Maple City, passed away at home on Saturday morning, November 30, 2024 in the presence and care of his loving family. Although his birth certificate indicates he was born in Traverse City on September 7, 1930, family recollection indicates that Duane was birthed at his parent’s home in Maple City to the late Ira H. and Bertha M. (Gilbert) Newman. He attended Kasson Center grade school, along with his younger sister Nancy Jane (Newman) Lanham, through completion of 8th grade. They literally walked up hill to school - both ways - through all types of weather. When offered the opportunity to attend High School in Traverse City where he would have stayed with Gilbert family members, Duane instead chose to remain at home and help his parents on their farm. Duane would fondly recall stories of helping from a young age, he and his Mother caring for land and animals when his Dad would be away at lumber camps or doing carpentry work with Hatlem Construction around the Glen Lake area. Duane was proud of his work planting and harvesting crops with his horse, Sparky. He worked tirelessly alongside his parents and sister caring for the farm animals, milking cows, tending the vegetable garden, growing MANY potatoes, putting up winter’s wood for the family, hunting, harvesting and storing ice for the family and neighbors, and all the other tasks required to survive in rural Northern Michigan. Duane loved reminiscing about playing with Nancy, getting his first car at age 14 and his dad acquiring the first tractor for their farm. Duane was 22 years old when he was called up by the Army (2-14-52) and served our Country for nearly 18 months in Korea, obtaining the rank of Sergeant. He served in the motor pool on the front lines and would tell of the frigid conditions, the helpful locals, measures taken to mitigate injury, and the camaraderie in the ranks. Duane would cautiously reveal his memory of the hush that fell across the troops and land when the fighting ended. He would also share that he was offered an increase in rank and pay if he would stay in Korea for 3 more months. Duane declined, telling his Commanding Officer that “he could keep the stripes”, and returned to the family farm in Maple City immediately. A couple of years later, Duane met the love of his life, Mary Kathryn Sullivan, at a community dance in Glen Arbor. They were married on October 26, 1957 at the Grawn United Methodist Church. Together they faithfully and consistently loved and raised their three children – Dolores Ann, Timothy Ira and George Arthur – on their Newman Centennial Farm. Duane’s love for the farm and responsibility for caring for the land that was homesteaded by Newman family members in 1855 (and registered with the government in 1862) are demonstrated by his life’s work. He served for a time on the Board of the Leelanau County Soil Conservation and enthusiastically soaked in and applied all the knowledge related to soil testing, land management and crop rotation. His natural affinity for engineering proved invaluable throughout his life as he maintained and repaired farm equipment, upgraded to new tools and techniques with frugal auction acquisitions and even splurged a few times on purchases of brand-new tractors, trucks and implements. He was about working smarter, not harder and felt that farming wasn’t to be considered “hard” work, but rather “good” work. If one understands the demands of farming, you wouldn’t think there would be time for other endeavors. However, the economics of small farming requires additional revenue streams, so in addition to being a carpenter (working around the Glen Lake area building summer homes and cottages in his 30’ and 40’s), he was also a school bus driver for the Glen Lake Community Schools for 34+ years. Along with retired school staff members, there are generations of children and their grandchildren who will tell stories of riding the bus with “Mr. Newman” that will crease the cheeks and warm the heart. Many times since Mary’s passing in early February of this year, Duane’s refrain has been “she was a good partner”. Truly, it was evident that you couldn’t really have one without the other. This was particularly demonstrated by the creation of their small gravel business. Duane would find time to make deliveries of gravel products to customers throughout the County in between farming, carpentry and school bus driving and Mary would handle the phone calls and keep the books. As the cattle herd expanded, Duane stepped back from the carpentry work and added trucking for Kasson Sand and Gravel for many years. He would be pleased to hear when repeat customers would ask for the “old man” to make the delivery because they knew that he knew what he was doing. Duane was particularly proud of his gravel trucks, and taught all of the kids and grandkids “to take care of the equipment so that it will take care of you”. Lest anyone wonder, Duane and Mary were NOT all work and no play. As they shifted down from farming and gravel deliveries, they ramped up their social life. They enjoyed inviting family and friends over for meals, playing Euchre or Michigan Rummy for HOURS, attending farm auctions (yes, these are “social” events!), and joining in the activities of the Old Settlers Picnic Ground Association. Duane’s family believes that when Duane returned from Korea, he kissed the ground on the farm and vowed to never leave it again as he didn’t venture far from home in his adult life. The family did take a few short but memorable camping trips to the UP. Later on, Duane and Mary did enjoy a couple of senior tour bus trips to Myrtle Beach and Maine, as well as a visit to the winter home of friends in Florida. They were particularly adventurous in 2012, taking an AMTRAK train from Chicago to Seattle, WA to visit grandchildren. Following that experience, they became somewhat of “ambassadors” for AMTRAK and would encourage everyone to travel in this manner, particularly noting the views from the observation car. In between all the everydayness of family and farming, Duane always remembered his service in the Army. He made time to honor his comrades in arms, serving in a volunteer VFW Honor Guard for some time, attending funerals of veterans, presenting the American flag to next of kin and performing gun salutes. His deep respect of Military Service and love for Country were demonstrated in every solemn rise and salute to the American Flag at parades or Memorial/Veterans Day recognitions, teaching the family to stand and respect the Flag by his actions. He was proud of his grandson-in-laws who are members of the Navy and Air Force. As recently as October 23rd, Duane counted it a privilege to “pin” a great-grandson as he was inducted into the Kingsley High School Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC). Duane and Mary were active members of the Cherry Capital Model A Club for years and would chuckle through stories of parades, road trips and adventures of the group. Often, a related memory would humorously underscore a valuable life lesson: always carry extra (Model A) parts, a can of gas, a spare tire, a sense of humor AND a sense of adventure. Duane most certainly knew that life was not about the destination, but rather the journey and he wanted his listeners to know that they should enjoy the ride and the view along the way. Family heritage and farm stewardship were of utmost importance to Duane, woven into his fiber, and he enjoyed sharing his knowledge at home and with neighbors. Although not “official” members of the Buckley Old Engine Show, Duane, Mary and sons have supported the organization with donations of gravel to improve the roads and provided shocks of dried corn for harvest demonstrations. Duane, Mary and extended family have made the annual pilgrimage to the show for years, happily displaying antique tractors/autos/equipment, riding in the daily parades, camping on location and enjoying all the social aspects of spending time with those of like mind. In later years, when demands of farming were not so great, Duane and Mary would look forward to attending the Northwestern Michigan Fair and cheering on the kids showing their animals. Duane was a great teacher, his style being more show than tell, thus he really appreciated the hands-on experience availed to kids through 4-H. Duane and Mary’s granddaughters have taken cattle, pigs and rabbits from Newman Centennial Farm to the fair. They have great nieces and nephews deeply committed to showing quality beef. And there are numerous neighborhood kids to encourage, as they learn animal husbandry by doing it, with informed mentors for support. It was always a delight to watch kids catch Duane’s eye as they circled the show ring and receive his “thumbs up” acknowledgment. Duane’s character resume’ would include his quick wit, his work ethic and self-respect, his unwavering integrity and selflessness, and his perseverance. He cared for others and was ALWAYS willing to lend a hand. He would make time to help neighbors, not expecting anything in return, but because it was the right thing to do. If you earned his trust, his faithfulness to you was unconditional. Those who had the privilege to know him know that Duane’s actions spoke louder than his words, and that he valued a good job done without bragging about it. To his very end on earth, he remained true to his authentic self, displaying humor, grace and gratitude. Duane is survived by his children Dolores “Dee” (Kelley) Wilkinson, Timothy Newman, George (Ginger) Newman; grandchildren Laura (Adam) Nemeskal, Andrea (Ben) Cooper, Keira Newman, Katelyn Newman and Oliver Newman; great grandchildren Gideon and Clayton Nemeskal; sister-in-law Bonnie Sullivan; bonus grandsons Chris (Sarah) DeMoulpied and their children Grace and Owen, Brandon DeMoulpied and Brian Wilkinson; good friend Jim Shillington, along with many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors-adopted-by-heart and friends. Duane was preceded in death by his wife Mary, his parents, his sister Nancy, and a granddaughter who was quietly called to heaven before she was born. The family expresses the deepest gratitude to the staff members from Munson Hospice who listened, educated, coached and supported them in care of Duane. The kind and informed guidance was invaluable in helping make sure that Duane was able to remain at his home through the end of his earthly life. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at Gilbert Lodge, Long Lake Township, Traverse City, MI. Duane’s family will greet friends starting at 1:00pm and the service will begin at 2:00pm. A luncheon will follow the service. Memorial contributions in Duane’s name may be directed to Old Settlers Picnic Association. Duane’s cremains will be interred at Green Briar Cemetery, near Lake Ann, in a private family ceremony. Kindly share thoughts and memories at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.

Duane Gilbert Newman

September 7, 1930 - November 30, 2024