Photo courtesy of Howe-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services - Dearborn
Apr 7, 1933 - Jan 24, 2022
We just learned of Duane’s passing. He was a wonderful fellow, kind and friendly. I’m sure his family misses him a great deal.
Candy Beutell Gardner
January 13, 2025 | Green Valley, AZ | Friend
I just read about Duane. What a wonderful man and family. Duane and his Father were my boss at Putzig DeMara Clathiers. My parents were the tailors. Sad news.
April 22, 2023
I first met Duane when we were in classes together at Henry Ford Community College for Respiratory Therapy. We also worked together at Oakwood Hospital. Duane was always an upbeat person with never a cross word for anyone. He definitely a people person and enjoyed helping patients breath better. Devoted to his wife Carol. He was kind enough to bring some flowers from his garden to transplant into mine when I first moved to Dearborn. Even though I have not seen him in many years, remember...
Paula Sherman
January 27, 2022 | Livonia, MI | Coworker
Duane H. Putzig, age 88, of Canton MI, passed away on January 24, 2022 after a brave battle with cancer over several years.
Duane was born in Dearborn MI on April 7, 1933 to parents Harold and Clara Putzig. Duane had a younger brother, Conrad, born June 2, 1935, who many years later served as Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Mahopac NY for two decades.
Duane grew up in Dearborn and attended school at the Edison Institute at Greenfield Village, where he played on the varsity basketball team. After graduating from high school, he served in the US Army and was stationed in Korea. Duane later attended Michigan State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1957.
Duane married Jutta Gerber in 1961 in Germany, where their son Mark was born. Duane and his family later returned to the United States where their daughter Heidi was born.
During the 1960s, Duane’s father Harold Putzig and his business partner, Gene DeMara, opened their first men’s clothing store, Putzig-DeMara Men’s Clothiers, which was located at 22027 Michigan Avenue in Dearborn. A few years later, Duane joined his father and Mr. DeMara to become a 3rd partner in the business. Over the years, Duane was featured in various Dearborn Newspaper articles and advertisements, and greatly enjoyed interacting with the store’s clientele. Putzig-DeMara later moved to the Village Plaza in 1969 and, in May of 1984, eventually closed their store when Harold Putzig retired.
During the 1980s, Duane made a career change and became a Respiratory Therapist at Oakwood Hospital (Beaumont), where he assisted patients and worked alongside many valued colleagues, whom he would eventually regard as lifelong friends after his retirement.
Duane had a strong faith in God, he enjoyed sports, good food, gardening, maintaining his cars, and making people laugh with his great sense of humor and positive outlook on life. He loved animals and contributed to various charities that supported people or animals in need.
Duane was a loving husband to his wife Carol, to whom he had been married since 1981. He is also survived by his children, Mark (Michelle) Putzig and Heidi (Eric) Hassen; grandchildren Nicholas (Adriana) and Timothy Giard, Emily (Mitchell) West and Trevor Putzig; his niece Gwen (Woody) Pier and nephews Bruce (Deborah) Graham and Eric Putzig; and numerous other cherished family members.
Duane (fondly known as Dad, Grandpa, Uncle Put, HBB) made our lives so much better. He will be dearly missed.
Please consider donations in Duane's name to the Michigan Humane Society
Read More
