Duane Kemling

Duane G. “Butch” Kemling, age 72, of Girard, passed away Sunday December 10, 2017 at St. Vincent Health Center after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born in Cranesville on January 24, 1945, a son of the late Ludwig Edward and Margaret Oleyar Kemling.

Butch graduated from Northwestern High School in 1962 and then served in the United States Air Force during Vietnam, serving as military police.

He worked for Bessemer Railroad for 25 years and enjoyed baseball coaching career at Northwestern High School for 8 years, Edinboro University for 7 years and Penn State Behrend for 15 years. He received his real estate license and was an associate with Charles Kemling Real Estate in Albion.  Along with his love for baseball, he loved to hunt, golf, fish, travel and spending time outdoors, especially at his cottage and at camp.

Butch was a member of the Girard United Methodist Church, American Legion Post #494, Edinboro/McKean VFW, Moose Club of Albion.  He was very proud to be selected to read the names of fallen veterans at the 25 year Commemorative Ceremony at the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Richard E. Kemling and sister, Charlotte Iverson.

Butch is survived by his wife of 21 years, Cheryl Newton; children, Julie Kemling, Susan Shaffer and her husband James, all of McKean, and Scott Kemling and his wife Angie of Butler, Pa; a brother, Chuck Kemling (Peggy Burns) of Albion; two sisters, Peggy Bolte and her husband Bill of Cranesville and Janet Payne and her husband Ralph “Ed” Payne of Edinboro. He is further survived by 4 grandchildren: Amanda Morley (Marc) Sanko, Aaron Morley, Sarah Kemling and Allison Kemling; brother in law, Robert Newton and fiancée Liz Wilson of Erie; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at the Burton Funeral Home, 525 Main St. East, Girard on Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 and on Thursday from 10 am until the time of the service at 11 am with Rev. Brock Beveridge.

Burial will be at Hope Cemetery in Cranesville with full military honors.

Memorials may be made to Behrend Baseball Dugout Club, 4701 College Dr., Erie, PA 16563, DAV, 3725 PO Box 14301 Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301 or charity of one’s choice

Condolences may be sent to www.Burtonfuneralhomes.com