Duane Vincent

Duane Floyd Vincent, age 85, passed away Friday evening, December 12, 2014 at Spectrum Health-Blodgett Hospital in East Grand Rapids. The son of Floyd Melvin & Nettie Mae (Winwright) Vincent, he was born on April 26, 1929 in Lyons. Although he trained as a deep sea diver, when visiting back home he met the love of his life, the former Meryl B. Nielsen, and they married on June 14, 1963 at Calvary Baptist Church in Greenville. Together they raised two children and enjoyed 49 years of marriage until Meryl passed away on August 17, 2012. He was also preceded in death by a son, Danny, in 1965; a sister, Beulah Barrett; and a brother, Larry Vincent. Duane retired from the former Grand Rapids Baptist College (now Cornerstone University) where he worked as a maintenance carpenter and was a member of Ashley Baptist Church. A skilled craftsman, Duane enjoyed woodworking, as well as sailing, and in his youth enjoyed riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles. On November 29, 2014 in Howard City, he married Thelma (Russell) Cooley, who survives along with her family. Also surviving are Duanes children, Barry & Kate Vincent of Arkansas, and Penny & Lyle Fales of Greenville; four grandchildren, Collin & Stephanie Vincent and Gavin Vincent, all of Denver, Colorado, and Holly Specht, and Samantha Specht, both attending college in Pensacola, Florida; a sister-in-law, Geraldine Vincent of White Cloud; and many dear friends. Visitation is from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon on Wednesday, at Ashley Baptist Church, 10463 Belding Road (Highway M-44 West), Belding, where funeral services will be held at 12:00 Noon. The Rev. Dr. David A. Oliver, pastor of Ashley Baptist Church, will officiate and burial will take place privately at Spencer Mills Cemetery near Lincoln Lake. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Duane Vincent, please visit our flower store.