Duane Robert Graeff, age 87, died on December 1, 2017 at the Hays Medical Center. He was born on April 18, 1930 in Shields, Kansas the son of Robert and Alma Reed Graeff.

Duane retired from United States Air Force in 1972 having served in Germany, Vietnam, Alaska, California, Utah, Texas, and Kansas. After retiring from the Air Force he managed the warehouse for Horton’s Furniture and drove a propane truck for Basinger LP Gas. Later in life he collected and recycled metal. He was a member of the First Christian Church and the American Legion both of Utica and the VFW, and Lions Club both of Ransom.

He married Mary Nora, they were later divorced. On July 5, 1973 he married Mary Henry in Wichita, Kansas. She survives of the home. Other survivors include nine daughters, Terry Gile of Wichita, Kathryn Herrman of Utica, Margaret Massey of Richmond, Virginia, Ruth Wise and Sandra Long both of Wichita, Patsy Rameriz of Lawrence, and Linda Davis of Oskaloosa; one son, Christopher Duane Graeff of Ogden, Utah; two sisters, Betty Whitehurst of Garden City and Susan Schmidt of Galva; a step-brother, Delbert West of Greeley, Colorado; 35 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and nine great-great grandchildren.

Duane was preceded in death by daughters Mary Jane Loudermilk and Pamela Grandstaff; brothers, Darrell, Fred, and Dexter Graeff; sister Colleen Fitzwater; grandchildren, Raymond Buhrle, Melissa and Jessica Jean Grandstaff and great granddaughter, Samantha.

Funeral service will be on Thursday, December 7, 2017, 10:30 a.m. at the First Christian Church, Utica followed by burial in the Utica Cemetery. Friends may call at Fitzgerald Funeral Home on Tuesday from 1:00 until 5:00 p.m. and Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. with the family present from 7:00 until 8:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church, the American Legion, both of Utica or the American Cancer Society.