Duane Gray

Services: 11 a.m., Monday, November 30 (Clark Family Funeral Chapel)

Visitation: 3-5 and 7-9 p.m., Sunday, November 29 (Clark Family Funeral Chapel)

Duane Gray, 81, of Mt. Pleasant, passed away surrounded by his wife and family on Friday, November 27, 2009, at Woodland Hospice.

Funeral Services for Duane will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 30, at Clark Family Funeral Chapel with Rev. Connie Bongard of Farwell United Methodist Church officiating. Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. on Sunday, November 29, at Clark Family Funeral Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to Michigan Parkinson Foundation or Woodland Hospice. Envelopes will be available at the funeral chapel.

Duane was born on September 12, 1928, the son of Lou and Eva (Lowery) Gray. He grew up on the family farm in Sherman City in northwest Isabella County. Duane was a graduate of Barryton High School and was involved in sports, FFA, and school plays. On September 26, 1947, in Barryton, he married his first wife Natalie Hilliker. On January 19, 1981, in Mt. Pleasant, he married Bonnie Roy who survives him. As a young man, Duane was a dairy farmer, raised turkeys and chickens, and grew Blue Lake Green Beans for Gerber Foods. In 1962, he bought the Main Lounge in Mt. Pleasant and owned and operated it for 43 years until it burned in 2005. Throughout the years, Duane, through Gray Investments, owned, operated, and invested in multiple businesses including Gray Leasing and Gray’s Furniture. He enjoyed all sports. He loved taking trips to Vegas and his years spent vacationing on Marco Island, Florida. Duane will be fondly remembered by his family and friends for his practical jokes.

Duane is survived by his wife, Bonnie Gray of Mt. Pleasant; children Michael (Rosemary) Gray of Mt. Pleasant, Teresa (Denny) Kuiper of Raleigh, NC, Joyce (William) Joslin of Mt. Pleasant, Gloria (Donald) Sowle of Mt. Pleasant, Barbara (Phillip) Schaedler of Tecumseh, Yvonne (Terrance) Lynch of Midland, Lance Alan Frederick of Blanchard, and Heather (Greg) Robinson of Mt. Pleasant; 18 grandchildren;13 great-grandchildren; brother Loren (Kim) Gray of Eight Point Lake; and sister Emma Ley of Naples, FL.

Duane was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Virgil, Wendel, and Max Gray.

Duane’s family would like to thank the staff of Margaret’s Meadow and Woodland Hospice for their wonderful care.

Memorials: Michigan Parkinson Foundation or Woodland Hospice

Cemetery: Riverside Cemetery (Map)

Location: Clark Funeral Chapel (Map)

Church: Church Not Applicable (Map)