Charles Duane Farnsworth

Farnsworth, Charles Duane – age 84 of Otter Lake, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, December 19, 2014, after a hard fought battle with cancer.
Duane was born on November 7, 1930 in Decatur, IL to Cecil and Clara (Holland) Farnsworth. At age 11, he went to work as a bellhop at a local drive-in to help support his family during World War II. He graduated from Decatur High School 13th in his class of over 500. After high school, he worked as an apprentice draftsman/engineer for Mississippi Valley Structural Steel. That job brought him to Michigan to work on Flint's Whiting Auditorium project. He later served as General Manager and Engineer at various structural steel companies in the area before retiring from Bristol Steel in December, 1995.
Duane married Margaret "Peggy" Martin on March 27, 1971, in Grand Blanc. He was an avid fisherman and golfer, recording 3 holes in 1 during his lifetime. They also loved to travel. Duane was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend and he will be greatly missed.
In 1968, he joined the Otter Lake Lions Club. He lived the Lions' motto "We Serve" to the fullest. He was a Life Member of the Otter Lake Lions Club of which he served as Club President and Secretary. He was Governor of District 11 D-2 in 1980-1981 and served on several District Committees. He served as an Advisory Board Member for Leader Dogs for the Blind beginning in 1983 and has also served as their State Chairman. Duane received the highest honors in Lionism on both the State (S.A. Dodge Award) and International (Melvin Jones Fellow Award) level, was the first recipient of the President's Award for dedication to Lionism and Leader Dog, and received the Ken Lautzenheiser Award for unselfish and dedicated service to humankind.
Duane is survived by his loving wife of nearly 44 years, Peggy; their 2 children – Joan (Joel) Veihl of Davison and Bob (Jamie) Farnsworth of Fostoria; his son Clay (Karen) Farnsworth of Orlando, FL; his daughter Erin (John) Charpia of Charleston, SC; 12 grandchildren – Eddie, Ella, Madisyn, Emily, Joey, Christian, Jonathon, Matthew, Michelle, Heidi, Stacey and Billy; 12 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Sue Dziczek; many nieces and nephews; and many dear friends from Green Brier Golf Course and the Lions Club.
Visitation will be held at the Mumford-Hudson Funeral Home, 116 Grove Street, Otisville, MI 48463 on Sunday, December 21st and Monday, December 22nd from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m., as well as 1 hour before the funeral service. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 23rd. There will be a special Lions Memorial Service on Monday, December 22nd at 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment in Otter Lake Cemetery.
Duane was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Glenn, his sister Sandy and his mother and father-in-law.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Jitendra Katneni for his many years of wonderful care and Gentiva Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Duane's honor to Leader Dogs for the Blind – P.O. Box 5000, Rochester, MI 48308-5000.