Duane Koets, age 83, was born May 8, 1940 in Watseka, Illinois, the son of Tim and Thelma (Janssen) Koets. Duane died on November 7, 2023 in Normal, Illinois.
Duane grew up in Ashkum where he graduated from Clifton High School. He then attended Olivet Nazarene College and University of Georgia earning a Masters degree in Education. While attending college, he married Linda Wheeler. Both were teachers. Duane taught high school math and physics, and finished his career at The Science Academy in Mercedes, Texas. During his tenure, students voted to award him the Golden Apple to recognize his excellence as a teacher, the school received the Texas Education Association Distinguished Performance Award and was ranked as the eighth best high school in the nation. His family was his great love. He was active in church. He enjoyed traveling, camping, farming, and being handy. Duane and Linda lived in Georgia, Indiana, Missouri, Illinois, and Texas. They started as school-year Texans in 1996 and later retired in Weslaco, Texas.
Duane was preceded in death by his wife Linda and his parents. He is survived by his son James Koets; son Scott Koets and granddaughter Ava; brother Gary Koets and wife Mary; sister Beverly Hendron and husband Alfred (Skip); sister Phyllis Garvey; and brother-in-law Ralph Wheeler and wife Mary.
A memorial service will be held at 2PM Saturday, November 18 at the Ashkum United Methodist Church. Graveside services will follow at the Danforth cemetery.
Duane grew up in Ashkum where he graduated from Clifton High School. He then attended Olivet Nazarene College and University of Georgia earning a Masters degree in Education. While attending college, he married Linda Wheeler. Both were teachers. Duane taught high school math and physics, and finished his career at The Science Academy in Mercedes, Texas. During his tenure, students voted to award him the Golden Apple to recognize his excellence as a teacher, the school received the Texas Education Association Distinguished Performance Award and was ranked as the eighth best high school in the nation. His family was his great love. He was active in church. He enjoyed traveling, camping, farming, and being handy. Duane and Linda lived in Georgia, Indiana, Missouri, Illinois, and Texas. They started as school-year Texans in 1996 and later retired in Weslaco, Texas.
Duane was preceded in death by his wife Linda and his parents. He is survived by his son James Koets; son Scott Koets and granddaughter Ava; brother Gary Koets and wife Mary; sister Beverly Hendron and husband Alfred (Skip); sister Phyllis Garvey; and brother-in-law Ralph Wheeler and wife Mary.
A memorial service will be held at 2PM Saturday, November 18 at the Ashkum United Methodist Church. Graveside services will follow at the Danforth cemetery.
Duane Koets, age 83, was born May 8, 1940 in Watseka, Illinois, the son of Tim and Thelma (Janssen) Koets. Duane died on November 7, 2023 in Normal, Illinois.
Duane grew up in Ashkum where he graduated from Clifton High School. He then attended Olivet Nazarene College and University of Georgia earning a Masters degree in Education. While attending college, he married Linda Wheeler. Both were teachers. Duane taught high school math and physics, and finished his career at The Science Academy in Mercedes, Texas. During his tenure, students voted to award him the Golden Apple to recognize his excellence as a teacher, the school received the Texas Education Association Distinguished Performance Award and was ranked as the eighth best high school in the nation. His family was his great love. He was active in church. He enjoyed traveling, camping, farming, and being handy. Duane and Linda lived in Georgia, Indiana, Missouri, Illinois, and Texas. They started as school-year Texans in 1996 and later retired in Weslaco, Texas.
Duane was preceded in death by his wife Linda and his parents. He is survived by his son James Koets; son Scott Koets and granddaughter Ava; brother Gary Koets and wife Mary; sister Beverly Hendron and husband Alfred (Skip); sister Phyllis Garvey; and brother-in-law Ralph Wheeler and wife Mary.
A memorial service will be held at 2PM Saturday, November 18 at the Ashkum United Methodist Church. Graveside services will follow at the Danforth cemetery.
Duane grew up in Ashkum where he graduated from Clifton High School. He then attended Olivet Nazarene College and University of Georgia earning a Masters degree in Education. While attending college, he married Linda Wheeler. Both were teachers. Duane taught high school math and physics, and finished his career at The Science Academy in Mercedes, Texas. During his tenure, students voted to award him the Golden Apple to recognize his excellence as a teacher, the school received the Texas Education Association Distinguished Performance Award and was ranked as the eighth best high school in the nation. His family was his great love. He was active in church. He enjoyed traveling, camping, farming, and being handy. Duane and Linda lived in Georgia, Indiana, Missouri, Illinois, and Texas. They started as school-year Texans in 1996 and later retired in Weslaco, Texas.
Duane was preceded in death by his wife Linda and his parents. He is survived by his son James Koets; son Scott Koets and granddaughter Ava; brother Gary Koets and wife Mary; sister Beverly Hendron and husband Alfred (Skip); sister Phyllis Garvey; and brother-in-law Ralph Wheeler and wife Mary.
A memorial service will be held at 2PM Saturday, November 18 at the Ashkum United Methodist Church. Graveside services will follow at the Danforth cemetery.
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