Dennis Eugene VanDuyn

DANVILLE - Dennis Eugene VanDuyn, 73, of Albuquerque, N.M., started his new year in heaven on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, at the VA hospital in Albuquerque. Denny's death was a direct result of his exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.

Denny was born May 29, 1950, at Lakeview Hospital in Danville, to Carl and Lois (Knerr) VanDuyn.

He joined the Army during his senior year of high school. Danville High School honored him with a diploma in 2011 at a beautiful ceremony. He served in Vietnam from 1968-1969.

Denny married Mary Lou Zotz, who he lovingly called Hot Rod, on Jan. 26, 1980. She finds herself lost without him.

While serving in Vietnam, he was exposed to Agent Orange chemicals repeatedly. Unfortunately, that agent came home with him, and he suffered their effects for the rest of his life. The latest damage was when he developed multiple myeloma seven years ago. He courageously endured monthly chemo from then until the end.

Denny was a railroader with Union Pacific for many years. He loved his work and was saddened when his first bout with cancer from Agent Orange changed his ability to work. 

He is survived by his wife, Mary of Albuquerque; daughter, Kerri (Sam) Utnage of Las Cruces, N.M.; and son, James (Rebecca) VanDuyn of Terre Haute, Ind. He also has eight grandkids, two great-grandkids, four stepgrandkids, two stepgreat-grandkids and two sisters-in-law, Linda VanDuyn of Danville and Barbara Eller of Mount Vernon. 

He was preceded in death by both of his parents; two brothers, Charles and Robert; and his sister, Sharon Curry.

The family is having a private memorial to celebrate Denny. Arrangements were entrusted to the caring professionals of Trujillo Family Funeral Home, 110 Alvarado Drive SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108.