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Southern Indiana Connection
Entries: 139285 Updated: 2009-07-08 08:37:32 UTC (Wed) Contact: Riley Lamkin Home Page: Southern Indiana Connection <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~southerindiana/index.htm>
Riley_Lamkin@psci.net
GENEVA ? Melvin A. "Duke" Singer, 81, of Geneva, died Wednesday, April 27, 2005, at Provena Geneva Care Center.
He was born May 8, 1923, in Madison, Ind., the son of Jess F. and Leota (Coppess) Singer.
Duke moved to Illinois with his family during the Great Depression. His parents life was farming, which is where Duke started his automotive career, keeping the farm equipment running. He worked on various farms in the area. He graduated from Geneva High School in 1941.
Because of his restricted eyesight, he was not able to enlist in any service branches for World War II, so he engaged in the Army Corps of Engineers. His eyesight continued to get worse, to the point he could not read the prints and maps very well, so he had to drop out. At that point, he went full time into automotive repair. He worked for various shops, but worked the longest for Charles Hanson and Fred Hillquist, who owned Tri City Garage Buick Pontiac dealership in Geneva.
In November 1952, Duke bought out Peter Armbrust Garage at 27 S. First St., Geneva. In May 1967, he moved the business to 609 S. Batavia Ave., Geneva. At that time the business became known as Duke and Lee's Service Center, as it is known today. Because of the loss of his eyesight, Duke's other senses became a major aid in repairing customers' vehicles. His ability to diagnose rattles, squeaks, engine and power train noises was impeccable. His understanding of wrecker service as far as rollovers, recovery and towing were unsurpassed. You still see his tow trucks active today. Duke and Lee's still is an operating business with his son, Lee, daughter-in-law, Lynda, grandson, Scott, and granddaughter, Stephanie, involved in the business. Duke was active in the business until April 1999.
Duke met the love of his life, Laura B. White from Oregon, Ill. They were married Jan. 6, 1945. Duke loved Geneva and stayed here his whole life.
He is survived by his only son, Lee A. (Lynda) Singer of Elburn; three grandchildren, Scott (Amy) Singer of Geneva, Shanne (Todd) Kuipers of Elburn and Stephanie (Lincoln) Johnson of Maple Park; six great-grandchildren, Kye, Austin and Gavin Singer, Dylan and Cierra Kuipers and Kyra Johnson; and a brother, Robert "Bob" Singer of Blue Ridge, Ga.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Opal Monroe, Jessie Makaritis, and twin sister Mary Kline; two brothers, Harry "Stud" Singer and Laurel "Dick" Singer; his daughter, Linda Singer; and his beloved wife, Laura B. Singer in November 2004.
Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, May 1, at Malone Funeral Home, 324 E. State St. (Route 38), Geneva.
The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday, May 2, at the funeral home with the Rev. Dr. Barry Kolb officiating.
Burial will follow at River Hills Cemetery in Batavia.
Memorials may be directed to the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois, 215 W. Illinois, Suite 1C, Chicago, IL 60610.
For information, call Malone Funeral Home at (630) 232-8233.
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1896 - 1953 (57 years)
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