Duane Gill

Duane Gill, 85, of Unionville, Missouri, passed away at the Putnam County Care Center on Tuesday, March 31, 2020.  Duane had been a resident there for two years.

Owen Duane Gill was born in Unionville, Missouri, on June 30, 1934, the son of Floyd and Wilma (Roberts) Gill, who preceded him in death.  He was reared on a farm in the Powersville, Missouri, area, attending local country schools.  He graduated from Unionville High School in 1952.  Duane married Kathryn Thompson in Unionville, Missouri, on May 25, 1957, and she preceded him in death on April 23, 1997.

Duane served in Korea in the United States Army from 1957- 1959.  He worked for John Deere upon his discharge.  Duane bought the family farm from his father in 1961 and lived there until entering the Care Center.  He raised beef cattle on the farm.  Duane also worked at PSF (now Smithfield) as well as driving a school bus. He also worked at several local sale barns from time to time.  Duane and Kathryn liked to square dance.

Duane was also preceded in death by a daughter, Debbie Pickering, and a brother, Larry Gill.

Duane is survived by his son-in-law, Trevor (Kristy Crawford) Pickering of Powersville, Missouri, and a grandson, Devon (Chelsea) Pickering of Unionville.  He is also survived by two sisters, Bev Camp and Patricia Mybren, both of Portland, OR, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Private graveside services (due to the Governor’s recommendation for social distancing) for Duane Gill will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2020, at the Unionville Cemetery.  Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Memorials are suggested to PC Cafe & Resource Center and may be entrusted to the funeral home.