Obituary of Duane Wickard

Duane (Doc) Llewellyn Wickard, Sr., 88, of Sweet Valley PA, passed away on November 7, 2021 following a brief illness. Duane was the husband of the late Joy Lou Steele Wickard, enjoying 66 years of marriage prior to her passing on August 7, 2021. Duane, born on July 9, 1933 in Sisseton, South Dakota, was the son of the late Ernest and Dorles Wickard. Duane was honorably discharged from the United States Air Force, having served on stations from Labrador in Newfoundland, Canada, to the local Benton Air Force Station on top of Red Rock Mountain. It was during his deployment to the base on Red Rock in the early 1950s that he met Joy at her family's restaurant, Steele's, near Ricketts Glen State Park. He often said he enjoyed the delicious meals and homemade pies, but it was time spent with Joy that drew him there again and again. She won him over and the rest, as he often shared with his children, is history. Duane and Joy spent the majority of their married life in their home near the restaurant. Following his discharge, Duane worked at Procter & Gamble in Mehoopany before retiring in the early 1980s. He helped coach his sons' Little League baseball teams. Duane and Joy tended to their huge garden that supplied fruit and vegetables for canning each season. His children enjoy memories of helping their father tap the maple trees in the early spring to make their own maple syrup. Duane was an avid fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Pittsburgh Penguins. He also enjoyed country and western music, fishing, hunting, bowling, pool, and an occasional game of golf. Duane and Joy were members of the Living Word Baptist Church of Sweet Valley. Duane will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sister, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Sister: Wanda and her husband Odis (Mac) McCaslin of Alamogordo, New Mexico. Children: Fallie Padwa and husband Gene of Endicott NY; Duane (Butch) Wickard Jr. and wife Eileen of East Greenville PA; Steven Wickard and wife Holly of Sweet Valley PA; and Barbara Auchus and husband Doug of Lake Alfred FL. Grandchildren: Melissa Parish and husband Brian; Amanda Padwa; Megan Wickard; Evan Wickard and wife Meredith; Jamie Scott and husband Jody; Stephanie Morris and husband Matt; Kenneth, Zachary and Joshua Wickard; Jillian Brothers and husband Michael; and Kyle Auchus. Great-grandchildren: Aidan Parish; Brisbane, Deakyn, and Brexlee Wickard; Eli and Emma Scott; Hannah and Bailey Elenbaas; Brookelynn and Gabriel Morris: and Jasper Brothers. Duane was predeceased by his granddaughter Amber Wickard and his brother Alan Wickard. A private memorial will be held at a later date. Arrangements are by the Curtis L. Swanson Funeral Home, Inc., corner of routes 29 and 118, Pikes Creek.