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Duane G. Fayas, 81, of Iron Mountain, passed away peacefully at his home and was taken to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, March 14, 2017. Duane was loved by many and will be greatly missed by his family, relatives, and friends.


He was born August 20, 1935, the son of the late George and Irene (Leppanen) Fayas, and was a life-long resident of Kingsford, Niagara, and Iron Mountain. He graduated with the Class of 1953 from Kingsford High School. Duane attended Michigan Technological University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering, graduating in 1958 with high engineering honors. Duane faithfully attended the First Covenant Church of Iron Mountain. He was a member of the Iron Mountain/Kingsford Masonic Lodge #388, Masonic Temple, Ahmed Temple of the Shrine, Marquette, Mich., a lifetime member of the Michigan Tech Alumni Association, and a bronze and lifetime member of the Menominee Range Historical Foundation Museums.


After college, he was united in marriage to Elaine M. Nemeth, daughter of Don and Marie Nemeth, in 1958, and they had five children. He later married Annette Swentner, daughter of Edward and Gilda Hohol, in 1981. Annette preceded him in death in 1991. In 1994 Duane married Marilyn Agnessi; she preceded him in death in 2015.


Duane and his brother Marvin began working as young boys with their father, George, to establish Fayas and Sons, a general contracting business in Kingsford, and were later joined by their younger brother, Robert. The successful company grew under their leadership, becoming Fayas and Sons Ready-Mix and Asphalt, later acquiring Twin City Concrete and Miller Products, a supplier of building materials. Upon the retirement of Duane and Marvin in 2009, Fayas and Sons, Inc. was dissolved. Duane's strong work ethic and commitment to the business gave him a deep sense of satisfaction, purpose, and connection to family and friends who worked with him at the company, as well as to the community.


Duane truly enjoyed berry picking, gardening, and the tranquility of the outdoors, sharing much of what he picked and canning or freezing the rest. It was his decision and especially significant to him that Fridays were designated as “fish-fry night” and Sunday afternoons as “coffee time” each week to keep the family in touch. He also enjoyed driving around town at Christmas time viewing Christmas lights.


Survivors include his first wife, Elaine (Ray) Lawrence, Inglis, Fla.; one son, Don (Jill) Fayas, DePere, Wis.; three daughters, Christine (Robert) Ragland, Celina, Tex., Carolyn Miller, Appleton, Wis., and Susan (Eugene) Benavides, Katy, Tex.; four step-daughters, Lori (Jim) West, Vulcan, Margi Sanderson, Kingsford, Anne (Tony) Amicangelo, Iron Mountain, and Jean (Robert) Groeneveld, Kingsford; one step-son, Mark (Tischa) Agnessi, Afton, Minn.; two brothers, Marvin (Kathleen) Fayas, Kingsford, and Robert (Barbara) Fayas, Iron Mountain; two sisters, Carol (Dennis) Acotto, Manassas, Va., and Marilyn (Richard) Sinelli, Iron Mountain; two sons-in-law, Ron Smith, Niagara, and Robert Dale McCormick, El Paso, Tex.; ten grandchildren, Daniel Miller, Matthew Duane Benavides, Collin Joseph Fayas, Evan Paul Fayas, Dillon George Fayas, Sarah Christine Fayas, Shelby West, James West, Jessica Littiebrant, and Justin McCormick; and numerous nieces, nephews, step-grandchildren, and other relatives.


Duane was also preceded in death by his daughter, Diane McCormick, son-in-law, George Miller, and step-daughter, Diane Smith.


Visitation will be held Saturday, April 22, 2017 from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at the First Covenant Church, Iron Mountain. A Masonic Service will be offered Saturday, 11:45 a.m. at the church. A memorial service will be held, Saturday, 12:00 p.m. at the church. Pastor Peter Erickson will officiate. Burial will be in Niagara Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.

You may light a candle in remembrance of Duane or express your condolences to his family online at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com.

The family has chosen Jacobs Funeral Home to honor Duane’s legacy of life.