Duane E. Koerner, 82 of Chenoa died at 7:55pm, Thursday, September 17, 2015 at Meadows Mennonite Retirement Community, Chenoa.

His funeral will be 11 am, Tuesday, September 22, 2015 at Chenoa United Methodist Church, Chenoa; with Pastor Rob Roy officiating. Interment will follow in Chenoa Twp. Cemetery, with full military rites conducted by Chenoa American Legion and VFW posts.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 pm, Monday, September 21, 2015 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Chenoa; and one hour prior to the services at the church on Tuesday. The family suggests memorials be directed to Chenoa United Methodist Church, American Lung Association or a charity of the donor's choice.

Mr. Koerner was born January 15, 1933 in Chenoa the son of Raymond and Beulah (Streid) Koerner. He married Marilyn L. Malcom on March 16, 1956. His wife Marilyn preceded him in death on October 2, 1994.

His parents, two brothers, Roger and Richard Koerner and one great granddaughter also preceded him in death.

Survivors include three sons, Gary (Connie) Koerner of LeRoy; Gregory (Cathy) Koerner of Champaign; Gordon (Amy) Koerner of Washington; thirteen grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and two step great grandchildren.

Duane was a 1951 graduate of Chenoa High School and served our country in the US Army during the Korean Conflict. He retired after 22 years of service to the Chenoa School District as a custodian and bus driver. The Koerner's also operated the 911 dispatch service out of their home in Chenoa for 7 years.

Duane was a member of Chenoa United Methodist Church, a lifetime member of the Chenoa VFW post #8350 where he served as Commander for 4 years. He also served as State of Illinois Commander for one year. He was a founding officer of the JC's chapter in Chenoa and was instrumental in starting the Scouting program in Chenoa where he served as president for many years.

He was a strong supporter of high school sports and loved watching his son's and later his grandchildren's sporting events. In his spare time Duane enjoyed camping, fishing, going to the River Boat and a good jigsaw puzzle.