H. RONALD DURIEZ, 83

H. Ronald Duriez, 83, of Indiana, passed away Saturday, Oct. 6,
2018, at his home of 46 years under the care of VNA Family
Hospice.
Born March 28, 1935 in Alverda, he was the seventh and last
child of Raymond and Nettie Duriez. He moved in 1945 to
Barnesboro, where he grew up and graduated high school in
1953. He served in the U.S. Army, Medical Corps in the Korean
theater, 1958 to 1960. He worked as the assistant manager of Del
Farm Grocery in Indiana and as a computer programmer for
Alcoa in Pittsburgh. He was a first responder with Citizens’
Ambulance Service and made their inaugural run in 1963.
In 1972, Ron began the vocation for which he is best
remembered, that of Indiana’s Mister Donut, operating partner of
the Mister Donut franchise established in 1972 on South 13th
Street in Indiana. He entered retirement with the sale of the
business in 1990. Thereafter, he worked casually at electrical and
remodeling contracting and property management in the Indiana
area.
While he enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating and remodeling his
home, his life’s work was his family. He was a very active father
to his two sons, a coach of Indiana Little League teams from
1972 to 1979, a fan and an ever-present supporter. In retirement,
he focused his full attention on being a beloved grandfather to
his 11 grandchildren. His family was his greatest joy.
He was an active member of the Church of Christ, 225 East Pike,
since 1973. The church was the bedrock of his life, as his faith
was a sustaining source of strength.
Ron was married to Sally (Kling) Duriez, of Indiana, for 55 years
as of Sept. 7, 2018.
Surviving are his wife, their two sons; Douglas and Tonya, of
Morgantown, and Gregory and Christy, of Flowery Branch, Ga.;
a former daughter-in-law Gwen Danner and husband Mark, of
Duluth, Ga.; grandchildren Chauntel (Duriez) Mancuso, 26, and
husband Jesse, of Mechanicsburg; Dalton Duriez, 24, of
Nashville; Austin Duriez, 23, of Atlanta; Kara Duriez, 21, of
Morgantown; Lauren Duriez, 20, of Duluth, Ga.; and Mason
Duriez, 16, of Duluth; three step-grandchildren: Cole Allen, 22,
of Tallahassee, Fla.; Haley Smith, 20, of Commerce, Ga.; and
Makenzie Breedlove, 18, of Flowery Branch, Ga.; two
Death: October 6, 2018
grandchildren through marriage, Jay, 26, and wife Marcella
Danner, of Atlanta, and Jill Danner, 23, of Kennesaw, Ga.; sister
Lucille Davis, of Altoona, his last remaining sibling; sister-in
law Joy Duriez, of Barnesboro, wife of Raymond Jr.;
brother-in-law Steve Kessler and wife Dory, of Mechanicsburg;
and numerous nieces and nephews.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers:
Raymond Jr.; Bill and wife Kate; and Howard and wife Jane;
sisters Mildred Fleming and husband Zene, and Louise Moser;
and sister-in-law Linda Kessler.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to VNA Family
Hospice, 850 Hospital Road Suite 3000, Indiana PA 15701, or
VA Supportive Housing Program at the Housing Authority of
Indiana County, 104 Philadelphia St., Indiana PA 15701.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 Tuesday at
Bowser-Minich Funeral Home, Indiana. A funeral service will be
held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Church of Christ, Indiana, with
Minister C.J. Moffet officiating. Interment will be in Union
Cemetery, Shelocta.
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