DUANE "UNK" L. JOHNSON, 72, of 110 E. MacArthur Ave. died Monday, February 15, 1999 at his home. He was born on February 17, 1926 in Eau Claire to Melvin and Lela (Erickson) Johnson. Duane graduated from Eau Claire Senior High School with the class of 1943. He enlisted in the United States Merchant Marine in November 1943 and sailed throughout the world transporting troops, bomber crews, and supplies until his discharge in November 1946. Duane married Dorothy A. McDonald, on December 9, 1945 in Eau Claire at Grace Lutheran Church. He worked over 40 years at Uniroyal-Goodrich Tire Co., where he retired as a supervisor in 1986.\r\nHe was a member of Grace Lutheran Church and Eau Claire Moose Lodge No. 1408. He was an active participant in Eau Claire Baseball for many years, he later played softball and then managed Wagner's Softball Team for several years. Until recently he had been active in a Bowling League. \r\nSurvivors include his wife, Dorothy: three daughters, Billie (Larry) Voss of Eau Claire, Barbara (Thomas) Knowlton of Lake Holcombe, Debra (William) Nehring of Wisconsin Dells; three sons, Gary (Kathy) Johnson of Eau Claire, Craig (Kari) Johnson of Hudson, and Timothy (Tasha) Johnson of Wisconsin Dells; six grandsons, Jeffrey, Gregory, and Daniel Voss, Jamison (Angie) Knowlton, and Billy and Jesse Nehring; six granddaughters, Stacie Nehring, Trista, Shonna and Danika Pavelski, and Cassandra and Alexandra Johnson, and a step-grandson, Gene (Deanna) Schleusner; five great-grandchildren; a sister, Carol (Dick) Johnson of Eau Claire and a brother, Wally (Lucille) Johnson of Opelika, Alabama. \r\nHe was preceded in death by his parents; and his mother and father-in-law, Lena and John McDonald. \r\nFuneral Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Grace Lutheran Church with Pastor Howard Fehr officiating. Burial will be in St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery where VFW Post #305 will conduct military graveside rites. Friends may call 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Lenmark-Gomsrud Funeral Home and an hour prior to services Thursday at the church..

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