March 22, 1936 – Sept. 13, 2024
Former Rochester resident Don Duzenbery, 88, of Plymouth, was surrounded by his loving family when he passed away at 3:15 a.m. on Sept. 13, 2024.
On March 22, 1936, Donald Roy Duzenbery was born in Rochester to Wendell Samuel and Marjoria F. Kochenderfer Duzenbery. Growing up, he shared his childhood with a brother, Dick, and sister, Barbara. Don graduated from Talma High School in 1955. During his high school years, he was a member of the Talma Tiger basketball team.
In Ocala, Fla., Donald Roy Duzenbery and Janice M. Nichols were married on Dec. 15, 1977. They shared over 40 years of life’s adventures. This included 23 years in Florida's Gulf Coast Bonita Springs from 1984-2006, before returning to northern Indiana.
Gifted with his hands, Don was an extraordinary craftsman as a finish carpenter and woodworker. While living in Indiana, he was a member of his brother-in-law's John Hunter Construction team finishing many custom-built homes for the families they served. Don was steady, meticulous and focused on every detail, always achieving perfection. While in Florida, he was a member of the Best Carpentry Builders, Bonita Springs. He was so accomplished that in a single day he could finish out a home with crown moulding, intricate base and trim and hang the doors.
Accumulating a vast collection of tools, Don was at home in his workshop. It was here where he relaxed, creating heirloom furniture pieces like entertainment centers, desks and dressers, hand selecting the species of wood for the finished product.
Left to cherish Don's memory are eight children, Rick Kramer and wife Deb of Greer, S.C., David Duzenbery and wife Tami, of Rockfield, Chris Duzenbery and wife Donna, of Plainfield, Mike Duzenbery, of Rochester, Scott Sopher, of Ft. Myers, Fla., Pat Duzenbery, of Rochester, Kim Willyerd and husband Ed, of Plymouth and Colleen Norman and husband Rob, of Delphi; grandson Jarod Duzenbery; and brother Richard “Dick” Duzenbery, of Akron. Nieces and nephews also survive.
Preceding Don in death are his parents, wife, Janice Duzenbery on June 13, 2018, son Brent “Cozmo” Kramer on June 13, 2009, and sister Barbara Hunter on April 1, 2012.
A celebration of the life of Donald R. Duzenbery is at 2 p.m. Thursday Sept. 19, 2024, in the Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 W. 18th St., Rochester. Pastor Mark Harmon will officiate. Friends may visit with the family from 1 p.m. until the hour of the service. Burial will follow in the Athens Hoover Cemetery.
Online expressions of sympathy may be made to his family at www.goodfamilyfh.com.
