Myles W. VanDuzer, Sr.

Myles W. VanDuzer, Sr. 91, of Streator passed away Thursday, October 31, 2019 at Pleasant View Health Center in Ottawa following a brief illness.

Funeral services will be held at 7:00 P.M. Monday at the Solon-Telford Funeral Home, Streator. Rev. Rodney Kreier will officiate.

A visitation will be held from 4-7 P.M. Monday at the Solon-Telford Funeral Home, Streator.

Cremation rites will be accorded following the services.

Private family burial will be held in Oakwood Memorial Park at a later date.

Born March 30, 1928 in Antioch he was the son of Myles B. and Alma (Cavanaugh) VanDuzer. He married Carol Jean Dulian on September 20, 1952 in Ottawa. She preceded him in death on December 2, 2012.

He is survived by a daughter, Sandra (Chas) LaVersa of Plaistow, New Hampshire; sons, Myles (Joyce) VanDuzer Jr., of The Villages, Florida, Mark (Patty) VanDuzer of Ottawa and David (Linn) VanDuzer of Ottawa; grandchildren, Kyle (Emily) VanDuzer, Michael (Niki) VanDuzer, John VanDuzer, Keri (Scott) Sullivan, Anthony (Elizabeth) LaVersa, Brandon (Erica) VanDuzer, Collin VanDuzer, Katie (Randy) Tarr and Drake VanDuzer; 17 great grandchildren also survive.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife.

Born and raised in Antioch he attended Antioch grade schools and graduated from Antioch High School.

After high school he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps where he served his country from 1946 through 1949.

He later attended Horology School (the art of watch and jewelry making) at Bradley University.

After College, Myles took a job at Frank Jewelers in Champaign. While living in Champaign he would meet his future wife, Carol Jean. They soon moved to Streator where he worked briefly for Perisho Jewelers and then Frank Jewelers. He purchased Frank Jewelers in 1979. They would later open VanDuzer Jewelers in Ottawa (1985) and Morris (1997) and eventually changing the name and location of the Streator store from Frank Jewelers to VanDuzer Jewelers in 1997. He retired in 1990 yet continued to help with all their watch repairs until recent illness.

He was a Ham Radio Operator and Instructor and enjoyed photography. He and his wife had a trailer on the Chippewa Flowage near Hayward, Wisconsin and enjoyed vacationing there with family and friends for many years.

Myles was a beloved father, grandfather and great grandfather that loved spending time with his family. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

Memorials may be directed to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.solontelford.com

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