Duane Blanche

Duane Julian Blanche, an extremely hard-working father, grandfather, and friend, died on Thursday, September 29, 2022. Duane, 88, of Charlotte was born September 22, 1934, in Muskegon, MI, the son of Walter and Beatrice (Slater) Blanche. On November 14, 1953, Duane married Margaret Hubbel and they moved to Lansing and started their family. He worked at General Motors for 32 years retiring as a fixture repairman. Duane enlisted in the United States Army serving for six years. His biggest passion in life was farming, he farmed over 300 acres. When he didn’t have a farm of his own, he would help out fellow farmers. On August 11, 1978, Duane married Janice Martin and together they created lasting memories until her passing in 2010. He was a man that was always busy following his retirement he and Janice started an adult foster care home in Vermontville. Duane also was a truck driver. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed square dancing, bowling, gambling, camping, traveling, collecting coins, singing and most importantly restoring old tractors. Duane over the years restored around 20 tractors.
Duane is survived by his children, George (Robin) Blanche, Mark (Carleen) Blanche, and Diane Cox; grandchildren, Melinda (Kilee) Sandin-Gardner, Macie (Patrick) Garner, Courtney (Aaron) Bradley, Elizabeth (Jeremy) Smith, and Andrew Blanche; and five great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by wife, Janice Blanche, brother, Fred Blanche; sister, Olive Blanche; and his parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Duane’s family by sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Eaton Community Health and Rehabilitation Services Activities Fund or the Eaton Community Palliative Care. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.