Duane Kenneth Dye

Duane K. Dye of Saginaw Township, Michigan

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and friend went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, November 13, 2025, with his family by his side. He was 90 years old. Duane was born on August 14, 1935, in Saginaw, Michigan, to the late Lloyd L. and Dolores A. (Simkins) Dye. He was a proud 1954 graduate of Arthur Hill High School. Following graduation, Duane attended Great Lakes Junior College in Bay City. He met the love of his life, Janet Lee Dankert, while in attendance at a wedding reception. They dated, fell in love, and were united in marriage on October 13, 1956, at St. Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church; she survives him. Duane was employed as a senior engineer with Saginaw Steering Gear for over 32 years of loyal and dedicated service. He then went back to work as a consultant at H.E. Services, retiring in 1997. The role of his lifetime, one he treasured and cherished above all others, was to be a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Duane was a longtime and faithful member of St. Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church and later with St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church where he served as a treasurer, usher, and selflessly serving in various other capacities including the beautification of the outdoors. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially upstate at the family cabin in Roscommon. A passionate genealogist, he was proud to trace his family’s ancestry back to the 1300’s in England. Duane was also a gifted and talented wood worker, creating dining room tables, cabinets, benches, and other furniture. He had a meticulous eye for detail and took great pride in keeping his lawn perfectly manicured. Duane was recognized by the Arbor Foundation for planting over 20,000 trees.

Surviving are his beloved wife of 69 years, Janet L. Dye of Saginaw Township; three children: Renee (James Westover) Pack of Freeland; Roxanne L. (Tim) Nestler of McKinney, TX; Robert L. Dye of Freeland; eight grandchildren: David (Kayla) Dye, Leigh Alpin, Matthew (Brandy) Alpin, Rachel (Nathan) Sarnacki, Austin (Elizabeth) Nestler, Alexandria Nestler, Lauren Dye, and Magen (Joe) Bolin; eight great-grandchildren: Ivy, Roman, Autumn, Everett, Jack, Margaret, Will, and Finnigan. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Robin L. Alpin; parents Lloyd and Dolores Dye; two sisters: Shirley and Joyce; and a brother, Darold.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the private health care workers, as well as hospice, for all the love and care they provided to Duane and the family.

Honoring Duane’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A celebration of his life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at the W. L. Case and Company Funeral Directors, 4480 Mackinaw Rd., Saginaw, MI 48603. Rev. Andy Retberg will officiate. Family and friends may gather at the funeral home on Monday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at the funeral home or through www.casefuneralhome.com.