Duane Haning

Duane Edward Haning, born May 22, 1940, died February 19, 2024.  Duane was born in Bloomington, IL to Harold and Leta (Appenzeller) Haning. He married Joyce E. Haning July 1968. They had three children: Brad, Jill, and Jay.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Joyce, his youngest son, Jay, and his only brother, Deane. He married Marilyn Joyce Toepke in April of 2000 and extended his family with her six children and many grandchildren.  He is survived by his wife, Joyce, his son, Brad, daughter, Jill (Mike), and grandsons Brady (Erin), Nolan, and Calan.  He is also survived by his right-hand man, Mike Payne and family.  His step grandson, Dylan Toepke, was very special to him as Dylan grew up on the farm and was with grandpa every hour he could spare. 

Duane graduated from Minier High in 1958.  He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1962.  Duane was a proud member of the U of I livestock judging team.  He was an avid Illinois basketball fan and held season tickets for over 30 years. He was proud to be president of the Minier Coop for 40 years.  He farmed his entire life in Tazewell and McLean County.  He was a proud Illinois farmer, raising cattle, hogs, corn, wheat, and soybeans. He mentored many young people in his farming career and loved every minute of it.  He loved spending time with his family and friends and always had a life lesson, word of encouragement, or joke to share. He had many sayings, and one was “the house doesn’t build the barn.”  He steered his work ethic, his faith, and his love for family from that place. While he experienced many tragedies in his life, he always woke up and lived with one foot forward and a smile. His kind heart and warm smile will be greatly missed by his family and many friends. 

His funeral will be at 10:30 am Monday, February 26, 2024 at Minier Christian Church in Minier.  Visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday and one hour prior to funeral service, both at the Minier Christian Church. Burial will be in Minier Cemetery. Pie and ice cream will be provided at the church after burial.  Davis-Oswald Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Memorials may be made to the Jay Haning Memorial Scholarship at the University of Illinois or Minier Rescue.

We ask that people wear their favorite Illini wear, John Deere wear, or farm hat for visitation services and share a line of wisdom of Duane’s. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Duane Haning, please visit our floral store.