Dr. E. Duane Powers, DO

Dr. E. Duane Powers, DO, affectionately known as EDPDO, age 94, passed away on Saturday, April 17, 2021 in The Villages, Florida. He was born October 13, 1926 in Kent, Ohio to the late Elmer and Ruth (Gilbert) Powers.

Duane was a very motivated young man and at a young age took on several jobs to make ends meet.  After completing high school in 1944, he enlisted in the military at age 17 and studied civil engineering during his service. He married Esther Scobie in 1948 and graduated from Kansas City College of Osteopathy and Surgery in 1952. He moved to Culver, Indiana and opened his first private practice, becoming a country doctor, doing house calls and delivering many babies over the years. 

Later, Duane was invited to join a thriving practice in Flint, Michigan with Dr. Donald Smith, a former classmate of his. He married Lois Ruth Martin in 1966 and moved to Flushing, Michigan.  He eventually opened his own private practice in Swartz Creek, Michigan seeing over 16,000 patients during his career.  His positive energy and sense of humor were his trademarks while treating his patients holistically. 

After pursuing his pilot’s license, Duane joined the Flying Physicians, a national group who planned trips and post graduate seminars in exotic places. One of his most memorable experiences with the group was flying to Alaska, passing by Mt. McKinley, and fishing in Anchorage during spawning season; bringing back large amounts of fresh salmon. He was also an avid golfer who got two holes-in-one in his lifetime (one at age 93).

Duane was a member of the Rotary Club in Flint and Grand Haven for years. He loved working with others on community projects such as the Rotary’s STRIVE program which provides mentoring to high school students to help improve their academic performance. He loved to play games, attend social gatherings, and his enthusiasm was contagious to all who knew him. Duane was a one-of-a-kind person and he will be deeply missed by family and friends.

He was a devoted husband who was preceded in death by his wife, Lois Ruth Powers in 2005. He is survived by his 8 children; Terrance (Dani) Powers, Michael (Berta) Powers, Deborah (Claude) Leblanc, Susan (Gary) Powers, Pamela Martin, Jennifer Powers, Patrick Powers, and Heidi (Larry) Powers-Dahlman. He is also survived by his 20 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and his long-time companion, Kay DeRousse, whom he met in 2006.  

A Graveside Service for Duane will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 9, 2021 at Spring Lake Township Cemetery with Pastor Ralph Baynum officiating. Military Honors will be performed by the VFW, Sgt. Alvin Jonker Post 2326. He will be buried next to his wife of 39 years, Lois R. Powers.  

Memorial Contributions may be made to Hospice of North Ottawa Community.

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