Duane R. Ilgen, 67, of Centre Hall, passed away, Wednesday, March 4, 2009, surrounded by members of his family, at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, following a brief, devastating battle with brain cancer.
He was born May 1, 1941 in Bellefonte; a son of the late Dean W. and Maude E. Smith Ilgen.
Duane is survived by his daughter Kelly D. Robb and her husband Keith of Pleasant Gap; and by his son Scott D. Ilgen and his wife Amy who reside on the family farm. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Jenna and Lindsey Robb and Tyler and Payton Ilgen and two step grandchildren Caleb and Cheyenne Swartz; two sisters, Jeanne Bender and her husband Dave of Chagrin Falls, OH, and Nancy Lipton and her husband Harris of Philadelphia; two brothers, Nelson Ilgen and his wife Robin of Denver, PA and Roger Ilgen and his wife Brenda of York; two aunts, Ruth Oemcke and Nellie Beatty and her husband Kenneth, all of Connecticut; an uncle Lenard Ilgen of Tampa FL; eight nieces and nephews; twelve great nieces and nephews; and his faithful dog, Casey.
Mr. Ilgen was a third generation life-long farmer. The family farm, now operated by his son Scott and his wife Amy, will receive the Century Farm Award in 2011. In addition to farming Duane was a seed dealer for over thirty-five years, and earlier he worked as a milk tank truck driver for William Ingram.
He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Farmers Mills.
Among the things he enjoyed most in his limited spare time, were hunting, N.A.S.C.A.R. racing, always rooting for Fords, riding motorcycles and following and analyzing the stock market. He will be greatly missed by his family and his many, many friends.
Friends will be received from 9:30 a. m. to 11:30 a. m. Saturday, March 7, 2009, at Mark D. Heintzelman Funeral and Cremation Service, 226 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Centre Hall. A private memorial service will be held shortly after the visitation time at the funeral home, with the Reverend Nathan Pile officiating. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers contributions in his memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 123 S. Sparks St., State College, PA 16801; or to Geisinger Medical Center Oncology Unit, 100 N. Academy Ave., Danville, PA 17822.
A guest book can be signed or condolences sent to the family at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com.