Walter Russell Duzan, 89, of Hillsboro, died on Wednesday, June 30, 2021, at 9:48 a.m. at Hillsboro Rehabilitation and Health Care Center.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 10, beginning at 2 p.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, located on the courthouse square in Hillsboro, with Pastor Stefan Munker of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church officiating. Bass Patton Dean Funeral Home in Hillsboro is assisting the family.
Mr. Duzan was born Oct. 25, 1931, in Rich Hill, MO, to Walter and Victoria (Andrews) Duzan. He married Suzanne Swank on Dec. 22, 1954, at Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield, and she survives.
He graduated from Rich Hill High School in Rich Hill, MO, then attended the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO, for one year. He went on to attend Gradwohle Medical Laboratory Technical School in St. Louis, MO.
Mr. Duzan served his country in the U.S. Army with the 24th Infantry Division in Korea, from 1951 to 1953.
During his career, he was a lab technician, x-ray technician, ambulance driver and administrator at Hillsboro Area Hospital. Upon retirement, he worked as an x-ray technician at Graham Correctional Center in Hillsboro.
Mr. Duzan was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hillsboro, Jay Cee, Jay Cee’s Exhausted Rooster Club, Hillsboro Moose Lodge and Pheasants Forever. He loved to fish and deer hunt, meet for morning coffee at Hardee’s and volunteer at church and for the Meals on Wheels program.
He was a former tournament bass fisherman and was a Mizzou fan.
During his lifetime, Mr. Duzan resided in Rich Hill, MO, St. Louis, MO, and Hillsboro.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Mike Claxon of Hillsboro, Dave Claxon of Gifford, Cindy (husband Terry Steyer) Duzan of Glen Rock, PA, and James (wife Barbara) Duzan of Loogootee, IN; five grandchildren, Scott Duzan, Josh Duzan, Todd Claxon, Tammy White and Tysha Mullen; ten great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Mr. Duzan was preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter, Rachel Claxon; one brother; and one sister.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Harvest of Hope Food Bank, Paws Care of Montgomery County or Montgomery County Animal Control.
Online condolences to the family may be left at www.basspattondeanfh.com.
