Duane Earl Rock

Duane Earl Rock, 71, of Benton Harbor, passed away Monday, July 26, 2010 at his home. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 10:00 A.M. Monday, August 2, 2010 at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home 2650 Niles Rd. in St. Joseph with Rev. Richard Kiser officiating. Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Garden in Coloma. Friends may visit from 2:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M. Sunday, August 1, 2010 at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to American Red Cross or American Cancer Society. Those wishing to sign the memory book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Duane was born in Benton Harbor, Michigan on September 30, 1938 to parents August and Hilda (Radke) Rock. He graduated from Benton Harbor High school in 1956. Duane worked at Whirlpool as model maker and retired in 1997. Duane is survived by his daughter Kelly (Matthew) Kelly of Branson, Missouri, grandchildren Liza, Ali, and Jesse; a sister Jean Williams of Benton Harbor; many special nieces, nephews and lifelong friends; and his loving companion Ruth Steinhauer. He is preceded by death his parents, and granddaughter Savannah “Annie” Kelly. Duane will be remembered for his passion of racing cars and flying planes. He even built his own plane and gyrocopter. He probably re-built every engine ever made.