John Duame Jr.

John “Jack” Duame Jr., 89, Stiles Junction, died Saturday evening, July 2, 2022, surrounded by family. He was born Oct. 22, 1932, to John and Bernice (Kenny) Duame Sr. in the Town of Stiles where he grew up.

Jack graduated from Oconto Falls High School with the Class of 1950 and, later, extended his education at NWTC becoming a certified soil tester and MPRS plumber. As a young man, he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was stationed in Ethiopia, Africa. Upon his honorable discharge from the military, he farmed with his father for three years and later worked at Scott Paper in Oconto Falls for 10 years.

On Oct. 1, 1955, he married Yvonne Heim at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Stiles. Early in their marriage, the couple started Duame Sand and Gravel and operated the business for almost 50 years. It continues to operate. Jack was always active, willing to help with community projects and donate his time, equipment and workers for things like the Lena Tractor Pull, Lena Fire Department, Lena School and establishing snowmobile trails. He was a lifelong member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Stiles, where he once served as a trustee and on the cemetery committee.

Jack held longtime memberships in the Lena American Legion, Knights of Columbus, Lena Community Development, Lena Snowmobile Club, Lena Sportsman Club and was a charter member of the Lena Lions Club. He was recognized for his volunteer service as Lena Dairy Fest grand marshal in 2007, recognized by the Oconto County Rural Urban League in 2008 and received a civic club appreciation plaque. Jack enjoyed spending time at his cabin up north with his children, grandchildren and friends. He had a passion for snowmobiling, traveling and attending Packers games.

Survivors are his six children, Jody (Joe) Neta, Green Bay, Todd (Colleen) Duame and Larry (Jane) Duame, both of Stiles Junction, Lisa (Dan) Gagnon, Oconto Falls, Tim (Tracy) Duame, Suamico, and Darla (Scott) Turk, Green Bay; 12 grandchildren, Garrett (Amanda) Neta, Collin (fiancé Lexi) Neta, Jordyn (Nate) Sagen, Kirk and Brock Gagnon, Briley (Kyle) Durocher, Seth and Sam Duame, Reece and Owen Duame, Haley (Billy) Weich and Logan Turk; eight great-grandchildren, Austin and Autumn Neta, Lilly and Ethan Neta, Shae and Bea Sagen and Layton and Truett Weich; two step-grandchildren, Tricia Spaulding and Cory Bailey; seven step-great-grandchildren, Justin and Anna Spaulding, Taylor (Kaitlyn), Myles, Oliver, Lyla and Stella Bailey; step-great-great-grandchild, Raelynn Bailey; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Dianne Heim, Green Bay, Diana Heim, Florida, Gary (Joan) Heim, Oconto Falls, Richard “Rick” (Linda) Heim, Stiles, and Barbara Heim, Green Bay; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Yvonne, in 2013; four sisters, Patsy Devereux, Mary Rose “Posey” (Bud) O’Neil, Jane (Herman) Lockstein and Joyce (Ivan) Plier; two brothers-in-law, Lynn and Wayne Heim; and his in-laws, Ray and Dorothy Heim.

Visitation will be held 3-8 p.m. Monday, July 11, 2022, at Jones Funeral Service in Oconto Falls with a 7 p.m. prayer service. Visitation will continue after 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 12, 2022, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Stiles until the time of service. Mass of Christian burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the church with the Rev. Walter Stumpf officiating. Burial, with military honors, will follow in the parish cemetery.

The Duame family would like to thank Heartland Hospice for the care and concern shown to Jack during their time together. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to Heartland Hospice, any of the aforementioned causes or of the donor’s choice.