Duane "Dob" De Vries passed away Saturday, June 24, age 79, surrounded by his loved ones at the Comfort House in Pella, Iowa. Entering this world on April 9, 1938, at a whopping 13 pounds, he was the oldest child of Everett and Cora (Uitermarkt) De Vries.

Duane played football at Pella Community High School, graduating in 1957. He served in the Army National Guard where he became an accomplished cook, always proud of the high turnout during his shifts. During his bachelor days, Duane enjoyed traveling, bowling, trap shooting and hunting with his friends. He worked as a mason for various construction companies throughout the Pella area until he opened his own company, De Vries Construction, in the late 70s. Duane was known for being a perfectionist in his work. With creative ingenuity, he designed and built construction equipment, including transforming a school bus into an equipment hauler. A lot of Dob's cement and brick work can be seen around Pella today. After he left the construction business, he enjoyed driving a street sweeper for the City of Pella.

Duane married Judy Meppelink on July 7, 1972, and had two daughters: Kristine (Steve) Sparks of Taylor, Michigan, and Susan (Joseph) Roozeboom of Long Grove, Iowa. He was a member of First Christian Reformed Church in Pella and served as a deacon for two terms. Outside of work, Duane was hardly ever serious. He was always ready to joke and tell funny stories. He enjoyed watching old westerns, football, and NASCAR on TV, as well as playing Spider Solitaire on his computer. Most of all, he loved spending time with his grandkids, teasing and chasing them.

Duane is survived by his wife, two daughters and sons-in-law, grandchildren Cole and Sadie, two brothers: Rod and Judy De Vries and Doug and Jane De Vries, and his parents-in-law Art and Edith Meppelink.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister-in-law Jewel Henderson.

Visitation

Noon - 7:00 P.M., Tuesday, June 27, 2017
With family present 5:00 - 7:00 P.M.
Garden Chapel Funeral Home

Funeral services

10:00 A.M., Wednesday, June 28, 2017
First Christian Reformed Church
Pella, Iowa

In Lieu Of Flowers Memorials May Be Given To

Hospice of Pella
Pella Christian Grade School Building Fund

Family

Wife: Judy De Vries, Pella
Daughters: Kristine and Steve Sparks, Taylor, Michigan
Susan and Joseph Roozeboom, Long Grove, Iowa