Duane Omer Gamble

Duane Omer Gamble (born Omer Duane), 95 of Goshen, Indiana passed away at 9:35 a.m. Wednesday, June 10, 2015 at the Maples in Goshen.

He was born October 4, 1919 to Omer Emery and Opal Marie (Edgington) Gamble in Huntington County.

Duane graduated from Washington Center High School with the Class of 1937.He married Edna E. Kneller in Picket County, Tenn. on Feb. 21, 1941. During his early life he drilled water wells in and around Huntington County and with his wife, raised chickens just north of Huntington.

He became a journeyman machinist in Huntington and during WWII, machined prototype items for General Electric. He carried that skill and pride of workmanship with him the rest of his life and wanted to teach that to the next generation.He believed greatly in education. During his terms as Huntington Township Trustee, he was the first trustee to pay female teachers on the same pay scale as the men. He championed the less fortunate and sought to help the educational system help them. After his three children and wife had entered or completed college he too entered college at the age of 44. He received a bachelors degree from Purdue University in 1968 and a masters degree from Ball State in 1969. He was administrator in the initiation of the vocational schools in Ft. Wayne and Freeport Illinois. He retired from education in Crystal Lake, Ill. in 1980. Because of his early family life, he struggled much of his life expressing affection. When he was presented with his six grandchildren, that struggle ended. They received his unconditional and complete love and he grew to be a better person because of those relationships. He was a member of the Huntington St. Peters United Church of Christ and the Masonic Lodge #483 of Huntington.

He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Edna Gamble; daughters, Pamela (James) Thompson of Columbia City and Paula (Robert) Shively of Somerset, Pa.; son, Victor (Jo Rice) of Mentone; brother, Paul Gamble of Ft. Wayne; six grandchildren, Troy of Noblesville and Shane Gamble of Fishers, Andrew Thompson of Columbia City, Anne Titus of Coesse, Christine Shively of Westfield and Sarah (Jarred) Romesburg of Somerset, Pa.; and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by sister, Wanita Hesting; brothers, Gerald, Dale, Doyle, and Verlin Gamble; and one granddaughter-in-law, Erin.

Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m., Sunday, June 14, 2015 with his funeral service at 2 p.m. at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Burial at Eberhard Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts to LOVE, Inc. of Huntington, which provides assistance to those in need. Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send family condolences or sign the guest register book.