Duane F. Sipe

Duane Franklin Sipe knew the path to success was paved with hard work. He taught his children the value of always giving your best effort. Just as Duane gave one hundred percent to his work, he was also devoted to his family and friends. A loving husband, father and grandfather, he was the happiest when surrounded by the love of his family, the true pride and joys of his life. The year was 1914 and great changes were sweeping the country. The skies had darkened over Europe and the raging conflict slowly dragged the U.S. down into the trenches of war. Amidst these events that came to define the era, Harry and Fern (Webb) Sipe of Portland, Indiana, were focusing on a special gift in their lives with the birth of their third son, Duane Franklin, on September 11, 1914. Along with his brothers, Doyt, Robert and Leon, Duane grew up on their family farm, which in those days had no electricity. His father acquired their farm from his step-father and farming became his livelihood. They raised many crops, which always put food on the table for the family, even during the days of the Great Depression. From a young age, Duane had a strong work ethic. He always put his best foot forward when it came to his farm chores, which included hauling wood, hunting for food and caring for the chickens. His family recalled "Duane worked for 50 cents a day - he would go into town with what he made, get a burger, movie and a pop, and still come home with a jingle in his pocket." Because of this, "they nicknamed him Dutch." Despite the busyness of his farm work, Duane was able to attend school at the "Swamphollow School" and graduated at the top of his eighth grade class. One of his first real jobs outside the farm was in a factory, making steering wheels for Model T cars. In 1939, when World War II reared its ugly head, Duane enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving his country during wartime. He proudly served in the military for six years, during which time he was stationed in Texas, California and Germany until the war ended. Duane's family moved to Muskegon, Michigan, while he was in the service and after receiving his honorable discharge, Duane joined his family there. Once settled into civilian life, he went to work as a bus driver for a while, before taking work at Naph-Sol Refinery. Later, Duane became a truck driver for AC Carriers, delivering crude oil and gasoline to stations throughout Michigan. His strong work ethic was always evident in every job he did. Duane, however, wasn't all work and no play. He loved to fly and after getting his pilot's license, he and his brothers bought a single engine plane for some high flying joyrides. One fateful day while hanging out at the roller rink, Duane met Mildred Tenbrink. At the time, they were both working at Anaconda, and although Duane was 10 years her elder, they began dating. Love was soon in the air and the couple was married on Mildred's family farm in Fremont, Michigan in 1947. Over the next several years, Duane and Mildred were blessed with four wonderful children: Keith born in 1948, Gordon in 1951, who tragically died a year later from pneumonia, Diane in 1955, and Ken in 1960. While the children were growing up, the family moved several times throughout Muskegon, but finally settled in a home they bought on Holton Road with a VA loan. Duane supported his family well as a truck driver, and when his boys were older, they often went along with him on his deliveries. On the weekends, they could all be found under the hood of the rig, where Duane taught his sons the mechanics of the truck. When it came to leisure time, the whole family enjoyed camping. They would hitch their trailer up and head out on new and exciting adventures, visiting several great places around the country, including, the Wisconsin Dells, Yellowstone National Park and Mammoth Cave. Before the kids were allowed to run off and explore a new campsite, Duane would pin a sign (made from a paper plate) to young Ken's shirt saying, "please return to lot 62" so he wouldn't get lost. After the kids were older, Duane and Mildred joined the "Happy Wanderers Camping Club", which traveled around to different campgrounds throughout Michigan on summer weekends. Mildred even became the Club's president at one time. When Michigan winters rolled in, the couple stayed active bowling with four other couples on Saturday nights. They were also members of the Fifth Reformed Church, where Duane served at one time as a Deacon. In November of 1975, Duane lost his beloved Mildred unexpectedly to an aneurism - she was only 50. This was truly a devastating time for Duane and after 28 years of marriage, Duane now had to quickly learn to do the things that she always did, like cleaning, paying bills and cooking, but most importantly, being a single parent to Ken, who was only 15. Such tragedies have a way of mellowing the heart and Keith remembers how his father would ground him, but later change his mind. Although only a teenager at the time, Ken fondly remembers his parents' marriage as being peaceful, with no arguments at least none that he heard of, and full of love. Duane found love and companionship again when he met Veleta Pranger. They were married in 1980, and lived in Shelby. The couple kept active and enjoyed traveling together. During their marriage, Veleta was being treated at the Mayo Clinic for an illness, and while there she insisted Duane get a physical. This resulted in him being diagnosed with bladder cancer, which luckily was caught in its early stages and successfully treated. After seven years of marriage, Duane and Veleta divorced and he moved back to Muskegon. A few years later, Duane came to know Ellen Brehm, a widower, and a true friendship soon developed between the two. They enjoyed traveling and dancing together, and one year walked the Mackinaw Bridge. Their special friendship endured until Duane's end. Duane was always in his glory, surrounded by the love and smiles of his children and grandchildren, whom he adored. He was so very proud of their successes in life and although he didn't wear his emotions on his sleeve, his family knew he loved them dearly. Always wanting to do good by his family, Duane asked his daughter-in-law, Pam, in his last days "Did I do good?" - to which everyone emphatically said "Yes." He often said, "Don't get bit by the same horse that bit me" - he wanted only the best for his family, a gift none of them will ever forget. Duane Franklin Sipe, age 91, died Tuesday, May 30, 2006. SURVIVORS: 2 sons, Keith (Pamela) Sipe of Muskegon, Ken (Margie) Sipe of Muskegon; 1 daughter, Diane (David) Bevins of Holton; 3 grandchildren, Brian (Samantha) Sipe, Mindy Sipe and Daniel Bevins; 1 great grandchild, Samuel; 3 step-grandchildren; 8 step great-grandchildren; special friend, Ellen Brehm of Muskegon; 1 brother, Leon Sipe of Zephyr Hills, FL; 3 sisters-in-law, Anna Wolfsen of Fremont, Vivian Ten Brink of Fremont & Fern TenBrink of Fremont. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred, 1 son, Gordon, 2 brothers, Doyt Sipe and Robert Sipe. SERVICE: Friday, June 2, 2006, 1:00 PM at Fifth Reformed Church with Rev. Norman Swier officiating. Interment at Mona View Cemetery. VISITATION: Thursday, June 1, from 6-9 PM at Clock Funeral Home & 1 hour prior at the church. MEMORIAL: Fifth Reformed Church Memorial Fund or American Cancer Society. You may share a favorite memory or sign the online guest book at www.lifestorynet.com.