In Memory Of
Duane A. Laird
Duane A. Laird
Duane Allen Laird, 81, Pottsville, PA, formerly of Topeka, died Monday, Sept. 25, 2006 at Stormont-Vail Hospital in Topeka, KS with his family gathered around him.
He was born Feb. 15, 1925 in Topeka, the son of Charles and Reba Pardee Laird. He was graduated from Topeka High School in 1943, and from Washburn University in 1950. He lived in Topeka until moving to Pennsylvania in 1999.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Donald and Carl "Andy" Laird; his sister, Helen; and his wife Betty Dean Bidwell Laird, to whom he was married for 45 years.
Duane married Verna Leonard on July 17, 1999. She survives. Other survivors include an ex-wife, Jackie Laird Tyler, Phoenix, AZ; his son, Stephen Laird and wife, Gayle, Port Angeles, WA; a step-daughter, Vickie Bailey,and husband, Deely, Omaha, NE; two daughters, Linda Schreiner and husband, Steven and Shelly Dodson and husband, Jay, both of Topeka; seven grandchildren, Jared and Adam Schreiner, Dina, D.J., and Devyn Bailey, and Miranda and Jason Dodson. He is also survived by step-children, Deborah Angelaccio, Cindy Leonard, and Martin Leonard, and two step-grandchildren, Joshua and Jessica Leonard.
Mr. Laird worked 31 years for Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Kansas, retiring in 1985 as an Area Manager.
He was a US Marine Corps veteran of WW2, having served with Marine Air Warning Squadron 8. He participated in the L-Day landing on Okinawa and later on IE Shima. Duane also served a year with the 1st Tank BN Marine Division in Korea during the Korean Conflict.
He was a member of Marine Air Warning Squadron 8 Veterans, Marine Night Fighters Association, 1st Marine Division Association, Marine Corps Tankers Association, and Philip Billard Post #1650 VFW. He was an active member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Port Carbon, PA.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Friday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel, Topeka, with interment in the family plot at Penwell-Gabel Cemetery.
Mr. Laird will lie in state after noon Thursday at the funeral home, where the family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 213 Coal Street, Port Carbon, PA 17965, or to the Marine Corps League Toys For Tots campaign, c/o Sgt. Harwood, PO Box 19515, Bldg. 688, Topeka, KS 66619.
To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.PenwellGabel.com.
He was born Feb. 15, 1925 in Topeka, the son of Charles and Reba Pardee Laird. He was graduated from Topeka High School in 1943, and from Washburn University in 1950. He lived in Topeka until moving to Pennsylvania in 1999.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Donald and Carl "Andy" Laird; his sister, Helen; and his wife Betty Dean Bidwell Laird, to whom he was married for 45 years.
Duane married Verna Leonard on July 17, 1999. She survives. Other survivors include an ex-wife, Jackie Laird Tyler, Phoenix, AZ; his son, Stephen Laird and wife, Gayle, Port Angeles, WA; a step-daughter, Vickie Bailey,and husband, Deely, Omaha, NE; two daughters, Linda Schreiner and husband, Steven and Shelly Dodson and husband, Jay, both of Topeka; seven grandchildren, Jared and Adam Schreiner, Dina, D.J., and Devyn Bailey, and Miranda and Jason Dodson. He is also survived by step-children, Deborah Angelaccio, Cindy Leonard, and Martin Leonard, and two step-grandchildren, Joshua and Jessica Leonard.
Mr. Laird worked 31 years for Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Kansas, retiring in 1985 as an Area Manager.
He was a US Marine Corps veteran of WW2, having served with Marine Air Warning Squadron 8. He participated in the L-Day landing on Okinawa and later on IE Shima. Duane also served a year with the 1st Tank BN Marine Division in Korea during the Korean Conflict.
He was a member of Marine Air Warning Squadron 8 Veterans, Marine Night Fighters Association, 1st Marine Division Association, Marine Corps Tankers Association, and Philip Billard Post #1650 VFW. He was an active member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Port Carbon, PA.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Friday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel, Topeka, with interment in the family plot at Penwell-Gabel Cemetery.
Mr. Laird will lie in state after noon Thursday at the funeral home, where the family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 213 Coal Street, Port Carbon, PA 17965, or to the Marine Corps League Toys For Tots campaign, c/o Sgt. Harwood, PO Box 19515, Bldg. 688, Topeka, KS 66619.
To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.PenwellGabel.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Duane A. Laird, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Thursday, September 28, 2006
7:00 - 9:00 pm (Central time)
Penwell-Gabel - Mid-Town Chapel
Service
Friday, September 29, 2006
Starts at 11:00 am (Central time)
Penwell-Gabel - Mid-Town Chapel
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