COLUMBIA CITY – Duane Omer Gamble, born Omer Duane, 95, Goshen, passed away at 9:35 a.m. June 10, 2015, at the Maples, Goshen. He was born Oct. 4, 1919, in Huntington County, to Omer Emery and Opal Marie Edgington Gamble. On Feb. 21, 1941, in Picket County, Tenn., he married Edna E. Kneller, who survives. They were married 74 years. He graduated from Washington Center High School with the Class of 1937. During his early life he drilled water wells in and around Huntington County. He and his wife raised chickens just north of Huntington. He became a journeyman machinist in Huntington. During World War II he machined prototype items for General Electric. He carried that skill and pride of workmanship with him the rest of his life and wanted to teach that to the next generation. He believed greatly in education. During his terms as Huntington Township trustee, he was the first trustee to pay female teachers on the same pay scale as men. He championed the less fortunate and sought to help the educational system help them. After his three children and wife had entered or completed college, he, too, entered college at the age of 44. He received a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University in 1968 and a master’s degree from Ball State University in 1969. He was administrator in the initiation of the vocational schools in Fort Wayne and Freeport Illinois. He retired from education in Crystal Lake, Ill., in 1980. Because of his early family life, he struggled much of his life expressing affection. When he was presented with his six grandchildren, that struggle ended. They received his unconditional and complete love and he grew to be a better person because of those relationships. He was a member of the Huntington St. Peter’s United Church of Christ and the Masonic Lodge 483, Huntington. Also surviving are his daughters, Pamela (and spouse James) Thompson, Columbia City, and Paula (and spouse Robert) Shively, Somerset, Pa.; a son, Victor (and Jo Rice), Mentone; six grandchildren: Troy, Noblesville; Shane Gamble, Fishers; Andrew Thompson, Columbia City; Anne Titus, Coesse; Christine Shively, Westfield; Sara (and spouse Jarred) Romesburg, Somerset, Pa.; and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a sister, Wanita Hesting, four brothers, Gerald, Dale, Doyle and Verlin Gamble; and one granddaughter-in-law, Erin. Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Burial is in Eberhard Cemetery. Calling is from 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. ***** Memorials to LOVE Inc., Huntington. Condolences via www.demoneygrimes.com
