obituaries

Steve Duich

Wood River |

Steve J. “Mel” Duich, 88, passed away at 11:16 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, 2015 at his home.

Born March 10, 1927 in Wood River, he was a son of Steve and Anna (Sankovich) Duich.

He married Margaret F. Gomer March 3, 1948 in Piggot, Ark.  She preceded him in death Feb. 10, 2008.  After she passed, he made sure to keep the house and yard just as she liked them.

Mel’s #1 passion was golf.  He won many tournaments and trophies, and scored 14 holes-in-one, the last several when he was in his 80’s.  Golfers went to him for advice and often just for the chance to play with him. In 2011 he was inducted into the Alton Golf Hall of Fame.  He got the nickname “Mel” when, as a kid, he liked to take watermelons off the melon truck. He worked his entire life helping others, and there was nothing he couldn’t fix.

Survivors include 3 daughters, Margaret Ann Kagel and Frank of Quincy, Stephanie Longwisch and Paul, and Anna Chatham, all of Wood River; 3 grandchildren, Rodney, Bryan and Alisha; great grandchildren Grace, Steven, Jeffrey and Colton; a sister, Elizabeth (Vince) Militello of Wood River; and a brother, John Duich of Centralia.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Carrie Longwisch; his parents; 2 sisters Anna Catherine Duich and Sister Mary Roseland; and 2 brothers Frank “Beansie” Duich and Jerry Stimac.

A private service will be held at a later date.

Cremation services entrusted to Paynic Home for Funerals, with online guestbook at www.paynicfh.com


Obit Provided By:
Paynic Home for Funerals

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