Francis J. Van Duyne, 91, of Coal City, Ill., passed away peacefully Monday, Oct. 14, 2013, at his home.
Born Dec. 30, 1921, he was a son of the late Jacob and Eula Stewart-Van Duyne. He was raised in Wilmington and honorably served as Military Police in the United States Army during World War II. On Sept. 14, 1946, Francis married Kathryn E. Kuzel in Assumption Catholic Church, and together they raised their family in Coal City.
Francis retired from the Carpenters Local 174 and was involved in the building of many homes throughout the area. He was an active member of Assumption Catholic Church in Coal City, where he previously held a position on the Parish Council and belonged to the Knights of Columbus Braidwood Council. Franny enjoyed woodworking and will be remembered for his love of singing and dancing.
Survivors include his loving wife of 67 years, Kathryn; four children, Jay (Kathy) Van Duyne of Coal City, Diane (William) Waite of Oakland, Calif., Kathleen (Kevin) Manske of Whitefish Bay, Wis., and Philip (Kathy) Van Duyne of Roselle, Ill.; 11 grandchildren, Bridgette (Phil) Hertz, Eric Van Duyne, Craig (Meagan) Van Duyne, Ryan Waite, Kelly Manske, Andrew Manske, Margaret (Michael) Gawrych, Mary Kate Van Duyne, Megan Van Duyne, Philip Van Duyne and Monica Van Duyne; five great-grandchildren, Allison and Marissa Hertz, and Gavin, Gabrielle and Dane Van Duyne; one sister, Mary (the late Turner “Terry”) Turan of Wilmington, Ill.; one brother, William (the late Elaine) Van Duyne of Mesa, Ariz.; three sisters-in-law, Joyce Van Duyne, Betty Van Duyne and Charlotte Van Duyne, all of Wilmington; one brother-in-law, Warren (Beverly) Kuzel of Coal City; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Francis was preceded in death by his parents, Jake and Eula Van Duyne; and brothers and sisters, Claude (Marge) Van Duyne, Alvin Van Duyne, Joseph Van Duyne, LeRoy (Rose) Van Duyne, Robert Van Duyne, Eileen (Arden) Gerrish, Agnes (Bill) Moorman, Florence (John Sr.) Jacklich, Mildred (Lawrence) Wallen and Virginia Van Duyne.
The visitation will be from 4 to 7 p .m. Thursday, Oct. 17 at Reeves Funeral Home, 75 North Broadway (one block North of Illinois Route 113) in Coal City.
Funeral services will follow at 9:30 a.m. Friday morning in Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church, 245 South Kankakee Street in Coal City. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated with the Rev. Robert Noesen officiating. Burial with full military honors will be in Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood.
Pallbearers will be Eric Van Duyne, Craig Van Duyne, Ryan Waite, Andrew Manske, Philip Van Duyne and Joe Kuzel.
Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Francis’ memory to the Assumption Building Fund, 245 S. Kankakee St., Coal City, IL 60416, or the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Illinois, 525 W. Monroe St., Suite 900, Chicago, IL 60661.
Friends may sign the online guestbook or send private condolences to the family by visiting www.ReevesFuneral.com
Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Coal City; 815-634-2125.