This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: WHL44 Surnames: CORTS, BUDD, KNAPP, SPARKS, STRAUB, LINDAUER, HALL, BREWER, FANT, COPPEMOLL, SCHMIT, RICHARDSON Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.michigan.counties.wexford/1632/mb.ashx Message Board Post: CORTS, Duane Age 67 Of Mesick Died Monday, August 18, 2008 at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City after a three-year battle with Multiple Myeloma. He was born in Leslie, MI on December 3, 1940, to Cecil and Ruth (Budd) Corts and grew up there. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps after high school and served seven years in various places around the world. After his military service, he worked for the City of Kalamazoo Public Safety in the Police Department, Fire Department and as head of the Bomb Squad. He moved to the Mesick area in 1985 and worked at Quality Farm and Fleet for several years. Duane was a member of the F.0.P., the American Legion and the AMVETS. He enjoyed deer hunting, mushroom hunting, gardening and being outdoors. He also enjoyed genealogy, history and the Civil War, but most of all he loved being with his family and grandchildren. On July 14, 1984, he married the former Sherryl (Knapp) Sparks, and she survives along with children, Sharon (Robert) Straub of Reed City, Diane (Russel) Lin! dauer of Plainwell, Keith (Maureen) Corts of Mattawan; step-children, William "Bud" Sparks of Tulsa, OK, Rebecca Hall of Beulah, Stacy (Randy) Brewer of Mesick, Monte (Elizabeth) Sparks of Sapulpa, OK; a brother, Joe (Wilma) Corts of Leslie; two sisters, Madeline Fant of Houston, TX, Lois Coppemoll of Leslie; and 14 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two grandchildren, Clifton Sparks and Hannah Corts; and by siblings, Robert, Richard, Iris Schmit, Mary Richardson, Gene, Gary and three infants. A memorial service will be held at 1 PM on Saturday, September 6, 2008 at the AMVETS Hall #120 in Mesick with burial in Antioch Township Cemetery. Arrangements were made by the Hall Funeral Chapel in Manton. Published in the Kalamazoo Gazette on 8/24/2008 (Posted by a VOLUNTEER-NO family connection) Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.