Floyd Oscar Duell

Floyd Oscar Duell, 84, Topeka, passed away Thurs., Jan. 26, 2006. Floyd was born May 17, 1921 at Goodland, Kansas, the son of M. Frances (Hogeboom) Duell and Bernhard O. Duell. He attended Ruleton Consolidated School from grade 1 through 12. He graduated from high school May 11, 1938 and went to work for Boeing Airplane Co. in Wichita until Jan. 1943, when he was inducted into the Armed Forces. After completing training he was stationed at Camp Pinedale, Calif., awaiting orders and transportation to the western Pacific. He served in the 323 Signal Corps Wing, attached to Headquarters, 73 Bomb Wing of 20th Air Force, stationed in Saipan until the fall of 1945. Floyd was stationed on Iwo Jima for a short time, then transferred to Fort Logan, Colo. He was honorably discharged Dec. 22, 1945. He was hired by the State Highway Commission on Aug. 16, 1948, and was responsible for installation and operation of all radio equipment used by the Highway Commission and Highway Patrol in the southwest corner of the state. He worked as a radio operator in Garden City until 1955. He was transferred to Topeka in the fall of 1955. Mr. Duell retired in 1986 as the Electric Systems Administrator, in Headquarters, Construction/Maintenance Dept. He was a member of the Radio Club of America, the Topeka Scottish Rite and Arab Shrine Temple and APCO. On July 14, 1943, Floyd and Betty (Clayton) Duell, of Wichita, were married. She survives. They had three children, Kathy Ann Ratcliff (deceased), of Moselle, Miss., Cherlyn Montague, Charlotte, NC and Heather Anthony, Topeka. Other survivors include two sisters, Virgline Amos, Goodland, and Vera Kittle, Colo.; eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Paul and Roy Duell. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 31, at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Rd, Topeka, KS 66614. Family will greet friends one hour prior to service. Inurnment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions are suggested to Shriner’s Hospital for Children, sent in care of Arab Shrine Temple, 1305 S. Kansas Ave., Topeka, KS 66612.

Floyd Oscar Duell

May 17, 1921 - January 26, 2006