Duane Harvey Delling passed away peacefully at Trinity Health Livonia (the former St. Mary's), on the evening of August 19, 2025. He was 95 years old. Duane was surrounded by love from family and friends in his final weeks.

Duane was born  September 13, 1929, in Birmingham, Michigan, to the late Harvey and Norma (Leach) Delling. He graduated from Farmington High School in 1946, joined the U.S. Army, and was released when he was offered a minor league baseball contract. Duane played with the St. Louis Cardinals minor leagues until an injury ended his sports career.

Duane attended college (Michigan Normal and Olivet) before marrying his high school sweetheart, Joan Adams, in 1950. The couple made Farmington their home until Joan's death, in 1983, and raised three children (Deborah, Dan, and Dianna) there.

Duane worked in the Detroit offices of Bryant & Detwiler architects in the 1950s before starting a real estate career. An entrepreneur, he owned several small businesses, including Delling Investments, a real estate development company. Later, he partnered with his son to run a used car business. In the 1990s, he headed Up North to retire in the Michaywé  community, near Gaylord.

Duane loved baseball, golf, and cars. He got his first car, a 1935 Chevrolet sedan, at age 14, but as an adult he was a proud Cadillac man. Duane had a winning smile, a twinkle in his eye, and a sly sense of humor that made him lots of fun to be around.

Duane will be missed by many, including his loving companion, Patricia (Pat) Shaw; his children Deborah (Paul) Romanelli, Dan (Holly) Delling, and Dianna Delling; grandchildren Mark (Claudia) Romanelli, Jordan (Erica) Delling, and Dane Delling; great-grandchildren Maya Romanelli and Jackson and Charlotte Delling; Pat's sons Brian Afetian and David Afetian; and his brother and sister-in-law, Gerald (Jerry) and Lynne Delling.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 33 years, Joan Adams Delling, grandson Bryan James Romanelli, and sister Donna Delling Grubbs.

We'll miss you, Dad.