SMSgt. Laurel Gene Duncan, USAF, Ret.

SMSgt. Laurel Gene Duncan, USAF, Ret., 75, of New Baden, died Monday, July 4, 2016 at his home. He was born September 8, 1940 in Benton, IL, the son of William and Helen (Ponder) Duncan. He married Joanne Louise Marshall on May 15, 1964 in Jacksonville, AR. and she preceded him in death on October 30, 2000.

Laurel is survived by a son, Royce (Misty) Duncan of New Baden; two daughters, Keri (Richard) Santel of Carlyle and Bethany (Scott) Grosinske of New Baden; seven grandchildren, Timothy, Christopher, and Jordan Wheat, Kellie and Ronny Santel, and Dustin and Cody Grosinske; two great-grandchildren, Emily and Hunter York; a brother, Robert (Shirley) Duncan; his companion, Judy Fisher of Belleville; and his four-legged companion, Sadie.

SMSgt. Duncan retired after 28 years of active duty service in the United States Air Force. Following his retirement he worked for 10 years in Civil Service at Scott AFB. He helped create the training manual for the Global Air Transportation Execution System and helped to wire the Space Capsule as an electronics instructor. He received the Civilian of the Year Award multiple times throughout his career. Laurel enjoyed fishing, putting puzzles together, muscle cars – especially mustangs, and he especially loved eating chocolate covered peanuts. He attended the Scott AFB Chapel as well as Zion UCC Church; and was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 321 in New Baden.

Memorial Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at Zion United Church of Christ in New Baden with Rev. Gretchen Sterrett officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at 12:30 p.m. at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, MO.

Friends may call Tuesday, July 12, 2016 from 9:30 a.m. until time of services at Zion United Church of Christ in New Baden.

Memorials may be made to the Clinton County Humane Society or the New Baden Police Department K-9 Fund and will be received at the church or Nordike Funeral Home, 15 E. Hanover, New Baden, IL 62265 who is serving the family.