Duane W. Campbell

September 18, 1932 - May 1, 2014

Duane William Campbell, 81, of Central City, died Thursday, May 1, 2014 at his home. Memorial services will be Tuesday, May 6, 2014 at 10:30 A.M. at the United Presbyterian Church in Central City with Reverend Doug McHargue officiating. Visitation will be Monday, May 5, 2014 from 5 to 7 P.M. at Wagner Funeral Home in Central City. Burial will be at a later date in the Central City Cemetery. Military rites will take place at the church by American Legion Lone Tree Post #6. Duane was born September 18, 1932, at Palmer, Nebraska, to Lloyd and Doris (Anderson) Campbell. His early childhood years were spent in the Chapman and Archer areas. At age six his family moved to Central City where Duane lived the rest of his life. He graduated from Central City High School in 1950. He was active in high school sports and Legion baseball. He entered the U.S. Navy in February of 1952, and served at Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands for his first year. It was at a time when nuclear tests were conducted in the area. He was reassigned to Pearl Harbor Naval Supply Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, where he worked as a store keeper supplying ships in the harbor. He was a member of a Navy skeet team while there. After one year he was transferred to Pearl Harbor Naval Base where he also worked in supplies. He played on Naval baseball and softball teams in the U.S. Military League. Opposing teams were from other military bases – army, marine and others. Upon completion of his naval service Duane was sent to Treasure Island, California, for discharge from active duty in January, 1956. He returned to Central City where he worked with his father in land leveling as a heavy equipment operator for about 15 years. On June 22, 1958, he was married to Ellen Jacobsen at St. Paul. The couple lived at Central City, raising their three children William, Rex and Karen. In the 1970s, he co-owned a TV and appliance business, after which he began work as a commercial carpenter, helping to construct the coal-fired power plant at Sutherland, Nebraska. He went on to work for Mid-Plains Construction in Grand Island, Valley Corporation in Valley, and for Tri-Valley Construction back in Grand Island until retirement. He especially enjoyed doing finish work at schools and hospitals. Duane took pleasure in hunting, fishing, gardening and travel. He also enjoyed birds, wildlife, and pets, especially his cats. Maintaining his love of sports, he served as official scorekeeper for the high school boys’ basketball games for several years and in 1984 was honored as Central City Bison Fan of the Year. He was an ardent Nebraska Husker fan of football, volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball and softball. He was a member of the Central City Presbyterian Church where he served a term as elder and on the building committee. He was a school bus driver for a time, and worked with his sons in Boy Scouts. In his retirement years he restored antique furniture, mostly family pieces. Duane is survived by Ellen, his wife of 55 years, his children Bill Campbell and wife Melanie, Rex Campbell and partner Jamie Howland, Karen Campbell and husband Roger Peden and grandchildren Kelly Campbell, Eric Campbell, Cassie and husband Arturo Pulido, Zachary Cunningham, Cortney Cunningham, and great- grandchildren Madison Campbell, Simon and Matthew Pulido, his brother Dale Campbell and wife Twila, and a number of nieces, nephews, and good friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters Dorothy Heinemann and Jean Campbell, and a brother Donald Campbell. It is suggested that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts be given to the donors’ choice. Condolences can be sent to the family at the funeral home website, www.wagnerfuneral.com. MUSIC Organist: Marian Lepp Vocalist: Mark Gloor “On Eagles Wings” “Amazing Grace, the Chains Are Gone” HONORARY PALLBEARERS Robert Davis ~ Robert Freelend ~ Virgil Benson Dale Soll ~ Tom Urban Delton Wegner ~ Arturo Pulido ~ Roger Peden Leo Heinemann ~ Charles Anderson