Fred W. Duve

Fred Duve "took his final shot" & left his home in the woods, Monday October 6, 2025 at 9:50 AM. He had fought a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer for 1-1/2 years.
He was born November 22, 1939, in New Philadelphia, Ohio, to the late Frederick C. and Mary Denning Duve. Fred is survived by his wife of 65-1/2 years, Janet (Delong) Duve, who he married on a snowy Valentine's Day, 1960. They were Blessed with 2 children, Steven (1965 - 2007) & Jennifer Swepston (1966 - 2024). He was eager to be re-united with them.
Other survivors include, his daughter-in-law, Sue K. Duve, of Lancaster; son-in-law, Dwane Swepston, of Kingston; grandchildren, Christopher (Jillian) Duve, of Baltimore, OH, Caleb (Jessilyn) Duve, of Lancaster, Brandon (Sarah) Swepston, of Chillicothe and Holly (Jared) McLeland, of Kingston; great grandchildren, Skylar, Steven, Stryker, Steele, Eleanor, Everett, Grahm and Hayes; sisters, Marilyn, Jill, Rebecca and Cherry; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Fred was predeceased by his parents, a son, Steve Duve and a daughter, Jennifer Swepston.
New Philadelphia OH was his birthplace November 22, 1939, but due to his father's line of work they moved often. His youth was spent in towns in Eastern Ohio, before landing in Kingston OH.
Freddie spent much of his childhood playing in creeks, fishing, climbing hills, where he acquired a deep & enduring respect for nature. He passed that on to his children & grandchildren.
After graduating from Kingston-Union High School, he began a career with electrical utilities & retired after 40 years.
He was proud to serve his country & community for 6 years in the Ohio Army National Guard 216th Infantry.
His finest & favorite hours in life were spent being a Dad, Grandpa & Pappy. A quiet thoughtful man who made every occasion fun - planting extra cherry tomatoes for annual cherry-tomato fight, fireworks in the winter, boating, shooting marshmallow Peeps & spud-bar-hunts. He made memories.
He also served the community, with integrity, kindness, responsibility & dedication, on Salvation Army Board, Kiwanis(Past President) & American Cancer Society (Dist. Trustee).
As a Life Member of the National Rifle Association, he gravitated toward teaching shooting safety. For many years he was the 4-H Shooting Sports Instructor/Coordinator for Ross & Pickaway Counties. With the help of family & friends he operated a 4-H shooting trailer at the County Fair, teaching, reaching out, passing out info, equipment & hands-on experience to hundreds of kids & parents for many years. Time well-spent.
While spending 20 years as Treasurer of the Ross County Friends of the NRA he made sure that every red cent was collected & well-spent as intended. That committee was some of his closest friends.
He could figure out & fix anything, quietly & in his own way. "Process Enhancement"
Living by the "Golden Rule" served him well for 85-1/2 years. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, son, brother & friend who will be deeply missed & never forgotten till we meet again.
In lieu of flowers the family asks contributions be made to National Church Residence Hospice.
We are forever grateful to the local Hospice Team, including Nurse Sherri, Chaplain Aaron, Collin. Social Worker Sarah & to the many family & friends who have supported us with prayers, visits, food & so many other ways on this journey.
Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday, October 15, 2025 in the WARE FUNERAL HOME with Chaplain Sue Duve and Chaplain Aaron Hines officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. Family and friends may call at the WARE FUNERAL HOME from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. prior to the funeral service on Wednesday.
You may sign his online register at warefh.com
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Fred W. Duve, please visit our floral store.