OBITUARY: Juanita Harris Duffee

Juanita Harris Duffee, 92 of Hollywood, Fla., passed away quietly in her sleep at 3:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014.

She was born March 9, 1921, in West End to her parents, Ernest and Mamie Coffee Harris and raised by Ernest and Clova Harris.

In 1942, Juanita married William Carl Duffee, who was the love of her life and preceded her death in 1998. This union produced two children, who meant the world to her. Her son, Ron Duffee and his wife, Dina, of Davie, Fla., and their sons, David and Roger, and her daughter, Rhonda Bonner, and husband, Terry, of Hollywood, Florida, along with her grandsons, Max of Daytona, and Mark, still at home.

In addition to her husband and her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Venita Hall, Burtis Harris, Edward Harris, Ruby Constanders, Charles Harris and Leon Harris. She is survived by her two brothers, Gene (Leona) Harris, Jim (Jean) Harris and her sister-in-law, Ina Mae Harris, all of Galatia and many nieces and nephews.

Juanita accepted the Lord at an early age and attended several churches faithfully throughout her lifetime, especially enjoying gospel music.

Juanita retired as a welder, from the American Bridge Company in Gary, Ind., after 38 1/2 years. She and Carl raised their family in Lake Station, Ind., and left behind many life-long friends when they returned to Southern Illinois in 1990.

She will be remembered for her love of family, her love of dancing, which she and Carl enjoyed together after retirement, and her warmth, hospitality and her amazing family meals.

Services will be held Thursday, Feb. 13 at Sloan Funeral Home with visitation 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the funeral at 1 p.m. The Rev. Kevin Peyton will officiate with burial at Lebanon Cemetery.