Lowell Duerk

February 6, 1930 - February 20, 2017

Lowell M. “Butch” Duerk, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 87 on February 20, 2017. He was born in Defiance, OH on February 6, 1930. A recognized athlete in both basketball and professional fast pitch softball in his youth, his athletic passion in his adult years moved almost exclusively to golf. He and his wife Phyllis (Jenkins) of 50+ years were married on August 4, 1951 during a leave from his duties with the US Army in Germany. He worked his entire professional career with the Firestone Tire & Rubber Company, primarily from its headquarters in Akron Ohio. He has lived in Wadsworth Ohio since 1966 where he and Phyllis raised their two sons, Barry (of Vancouver, WA) and Jeffrey (of Avon Lake, OH). For the past 25 years, he also migrated south for the winter to Englewood Florida. Those who knew Butch were blessed with his “larger-than-life” personality, endless jokes and his amazing friendship. His greatest role as dad and grandpa will be treasured and deeply missed. Butch was preceded in death by his wife Phyllis, his long-time companion Persis (Newhard) Snoke of Wadsworth, and leaves his companion Mary (Gebhard) Dalton of Midland MI. He also leaves behind Lisa (Gronbach) Duerk, wife of Barry, and their children Megan and Nina. He also leaves Cindy (Macura) Duerk, wife of Jeffrey, and their children Emma and Christian. A memorial service will be held at 2PM, Thursday February 23, at the Faith Lutheran Church in Rotonda West with a reception for all friends and family at the Hills Club at Rotonda at 3PM, or immediately after the service. A memorial service will be held in Wadsworth Ohio at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Faith Lutheran Church, 551 Rotonda Blvd. W., Rotonda West, Florida 33947 or Grace Lutheran Church 146 High Street, Wadsworth Ohio 44281.