Merle E. “Duff” Duft, 84, Iola, passed away Sunday, Aug. 11, 2013, at Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center, Chanute.
Merle was born April 30, 1929, in Neodesha, the son of James Blaine and Myrtle (Hobbs) Duft. He grew up in Neodesha and Fredonia and attended school in Buxton.
On Nov. 18, 1950, Merle married Anita D. Helmer in Burlington. He served in the U.S. Army from 1951 until 1953, stationed in Germany. Following his discharge from the service, they made their home in Iola. He began working for the Cooperative Electric Power and Light and retired on May 31, 1995, as operations manager for United Electric Cooperative. After retiring, he owned and operated D & D Oil.
Duff enjoyed farming and was a member of the Iola American Legion.
Survivors include his wife of almost 63 years Anita Duft; four sons; Danny Duft and wife Lamduan, Leavenworth, Dennis Duft and wife Trenda, Fredonia, Kim Duft, Iola, and Ken Duft, Admire; a sister, Virginia Millis, Neodesha; a brother, Don Duft, Fredericksburg, Va.; seven grandchildren, Danny Duft, Jr., Janet Quinn, Jaime Mueller, Ryan Duft, Cody Duft, Justin Duft and Joshua Duft; and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and two sisters.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel in Iola.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, also at the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel. Burial will be at Highland Cemetery, Iola.
Memorials may be left at Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel for the Parkinson’s Foundation or Wesley United Methodist Church. Online condolences for the family may be left at www.iolafuneral.com.
Merle Duft
