Noel Hatch Duerden

Noel Hatch Duerden, formerly of Indianapolis, Indiana, age 93, closed the mortal chapter of his Book of Eternal Life and opened the third chapter in Paradise on August 9, 2025, from Danville, Indiana. He was born in Pocatello, Idaho to Nola Goff Duerden and Clarence Hatch Duerden as the youngest of three children.

He was initially married to Merrie Meyer Duerden (1950-1954) during the time he was serving in the Korean War as an enlisted non-commissioned officer in the United States Air Force (1951-1954), where he had two children, Candee and Melody.

He met his eternal companion, Ina Lillian Norager Duerden, and was married (August 26, 1957) for 57 years until Ina’s passing on October 29, 2014. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple and had six children, Annalise, Maren, Marc, Kristina, Suzanne, and Karsten. Ina was the love of Noel’s life and he believed firmly it was truly divine intervention that brought them together.

Noel received his Bachelor's in Journalism from Northwestern University. He worked as the editor for Antioch News (1958-1960), Journalism Department staff and faculty advisor at BYU’s student newspaper (1960-1963), editor of the Washington Reporter Weekly and Washington Courier (1963-1964), Purdue University News Bureau (1964-1969) and Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis as Director of Publications (1969-1996).

When he retired from IUPUI, he endorsed that if he had not met and married Ina, he would have been a homebody and not ventured more than a couple of hundred miles from wherever he would have lived. Instead, he traveled intermittently during the working years, but with retirement, the travels escalated to where he traveled the world with frequent visits to Denmark to visit Ina’s relatives. Some of his more memorable trips outside of Europe were to Israel, Russia, Egypt, China, Thailand, Peru/Machu Picchu, Australia, and a one month working vacation (1991) as the crew of the Christian Radich (Norwegian full-rigged tall ship) sailing on Sea Trek commemorating the immigration of the Saints from Europe. He enjoyed these travels with his beloved wife Ina, as well as many of his children and grandchildren over the years.

He was always serving in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with fond memories of being instrumental in building an incredible youth program as Bishop of the Indianapolis 5th Ward and Bishop of the Indianapolis 6th Ward. He was the Boy Scout Leader for the High Adventure trip to Philmont (1975), Ransburg Mormon Scout Encampment leader, Zion’s Camp Staff (2005), regional public affairs director, high priest group leader a couple of times, ward mission leader, president of the Single Adult Branch, Chicago Temple Mission, and Salt Lake City Family History Mission in the Library Public Affairs zone. He went on several medical mission trips to Central and South America with Bridges of Hope International serving as a counselor and praying with the clinic members.

Noel loved gardening and could be seen out fussing and tending to his yard up until he moved from his home in 2021 to Brownsburg. Flowers always brought him such joy and when he could no longer keep them alive, he simply put fake flowers throughout his yard and house instead. As his eyesight declined, he became an avid listener of audiobooks. His favorites were historical fiction or non-fiction, with his main criteria being an author who knew how to get to the point. Noel spent his later years having his grandson Jeff and his wife Harmony and their young children live with him and care for him. Playing and spending time with Keegan, Aiden, and Reagan brought him immeasurable joy and happiness. Harmony became his caretaker as his health declined and they formed a very special relationship and bond.

He was preceded in death by his mother Nola Goff Duerden (1899-1985); father Clarence Hatch Duerden (1893-1978); brother Leland Clarence Duerden (1922-1990); sister Artel Duerden Donovan (1924-1997); wife Ina Lillian Norager Duerden (1930-2014); and daughter Suzanne Duerden (1964-1966)

Noel is survived by seven of his children: Candee Lee Duerden Coiro (Sammy) Woburn, MA; Melody Carol Duerden Haines, Orlando FL; Annalise Duerden Jewkes (Scott), Orangeville UT; Maren Duerden Kennedy (Jeff), Mansfield OH; Marc Evan Duerden (Angela), Indianapolis IN; Kristina Duerden Receveur (Terry), Indianapolis, IN; and Karsten Eric Duerden (Angela), Zionsville IN.

Noel is survived by 26 grandchildren

Candee: Kerri Coiro and Heather Coiro Jones (Scott)

Melody: Bobby Haines (Alisha) and Jennifer Haines

Lise: Bryant Jewkes (Candice), Joshua Jewkes (Mandi), Elisha Larsen (Kenny), Suzanne Jewkes, Lizzy Jewkes Linville (Justin), James Jewkes (Miriam), Ben Jewkes (Erica), Lacey Jewkes Kenison (Justin)

Maren: Joseph Kennedy (Natalia), Sarah Kennedy Day (Kevin), and Matthew Kennedy (Trisha)

Marc: Jonathan Duerden, Michael Duerden, Julia Duerden Starnes (Kutler), Celeste Duerden, and Joseph Duerden

Tina: Emily Receveur Russo (Brian), Jeffrey Receveur (Harmony), Terrance Receveur (Sierra), and Jennifer Receveur Chevalier (Stefen)

Karsten: Kameron Duerden, McKinzie Duerden

And 35 great-grandchildren

Candee: Michael Nichols, Bella Nichols, Nathan Nichols, Samantha Jones, Scott Jones Jr.

Melody: Michael and Robbie Haines

Lise: Rebecca Jewkes, Nathen Jewkes, Annabel Jewkes, Danika Jewkes, Brock Jewkes, Hank Jewkes, Jack Jewkes, Tyler Larsen, Alexis Larsen, Kelly Larsen, Dean Larsen, Amelia Linville, Quinn Linville, Kalidin Linville, Sophronia Nelson-Jewkes, Aden Nelson-Jewkes, and Gracie Kenison

Maren: Liam and Melody Kennedy

Marc: Ava Passon, Ina Starnes, and Kali Starnes.

Tina: Keegan Receveur, Aiden Receveur, Reagan Receveur, Kodah Receveur, Quill Russo, and Layla Receveur

A Celebration of Life will take place at the LDS chapel in Brownsburg on Friday, August 15th from 10 am to 1 pm. The FUN-eral service will be held immediately after at 1 pm at the same location. Interment will take place at Washington Park North Cemetery at 3 pm.

Noel requested us to wear blue and to truly make his funeral a FUN-eral. Always the jokester, he wanted his departure from this life to be one of joy and laughter.