Duane V. "Duke" Kemerer Sr.

Kemerer Sr., Duane V. "Duke" Saginaw, Michigan Passed away late Wednesday, November 29, 2017, at the age of 84 years. Duane Valentine Kemerer was born February 14, 1933, in Saginaw, the son of the late Walter and Frances (Turek) Kemerer. He graduated from Arthur Hill High School with the Class of 1951, and served with the US Army. He owned and operated Kemerer Builders for over 60 years, developing nine subdivisions in Saginaw and Thomas Townships, including Winchester Farms. He also co-owned Riverbend Storage Units with his sons and grandsons. He was active in the National, Michigan, and Saginaw Home Builders Associations. He was a founding member of the Saginaw Home Builders Association in 1956, a Life-Spike in the National Home Builders Association, served on the Michigan Home Builders Association Board of Directors for 11 years, and the National Home Builders Association Board of Directors for 8 years. Through his affiliation with the Home Builders Associations, he served on the Membership Committee, Delta College Advisory Board, Parade of Homes Committee, Building Codes, Planning and Zoning Boards, and the B-Pac/Legislative Committee. He was a member of the Pioneer Lodge #79, F. & A.M., the Scottish Rite, Bay City Consistory, Elf Khurafeh Shrine Temple, and the Royal Order of Jesters. He was a member of the Fordney Club and the Eagles Club. He served on the Sheriffs Posse and the Frankenmuth Mounted Patrol. He was a member of First United Methodist Church. He also was an avid hunter, especially enjoying hunting for deer and elk. Surviving are three sons: Michael D. (Vera) Kemerer, Duane V. (Patti Witzke) Kemerer, Jr., and David A. Kemerer; four grandchildren: Lisa Kemerer, Matthew (fiance Erica Chapman) Kemerer, Josh (Lauren) Kemerer, and Justin (Sarah) Kemerer; a step-grandson, Sean (Katie) Mahoney; seven great-grandchildren, Johnnie, Jordan, Evan, Charlotte, Wesley, Ian and Marianne; several nieces, nephews, and their families. He also leaves his long-time companion, Eleanor "Ellie" Hummel and her family. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his first wife and the mother of his sons, Maxine Kretz; one sister and three brothers, Florence Sproull, Charles, Walter and Robert Kemerer. Funeral service will take place at 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 8, 2017, at First United Methodist Church, 4790 Gratiot Rd. Rev. Amy Terhune will officiate with burial in Roselawn Memorial Gardens. His family will receive friends at the W. L. Case & Company Funeral Chapel, 201 N. Miller Road, from 2:00 - 8:00 PM Thursday, where the Pioneer Lodge #79, F. & A. M., will conduct a Masonic Memorial Service at 2:15 p.m. Thursday. Family and friends may then gather at the church on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider the Shriners Hospitals for Crippled Children or First United Methodist Church Childrens Fund. www.casefuneralhome.com

Funeral Home:
W. L. Case and Company
201 North Miller Road
Saginaw, MI
United States 48609