Duane M. Paul, retired United States Navy Chief Petty Officer, age 70, of Lakefield Township, Mich., died July 16, 2010, at Marquette General Hospital in Marquette, Mich., following a mercifully short battle with lung cancer.

Born March 30, 1940, in Newberry, Mich., son of the late Leo and Eileen (Dean) Paul, Duane was a 1958 graduate of Newberry High School. Duane enlisted in the United States Navy in May of 1959 and honorably served his country in Spain, Morocco and Antarctica for 30 years, retiring in April of 1988.

His hobbies and interests included woodworking, woodcarving, gardening, hunting, fishing, weather forecasting and reporting. Duane artistically created beauty from ordinary things, as anyone who has seen his garden would surely attest to.

Duane was a member of the V.F.W., Naval Weather Service Association, Retired C.P.O. Association, Fleet Reserve Association, American Legion Post 74, N.R.A., D.A.V., North American Hunting Club and the Old Antarctic Explorers Association. He was also an avid National Weather Service Observer and was exceptionally proud of his Native American heritage.

Survivors include his loving companion of 12 years, Sally Notarius of Lakefield Township; his loving daughters Eva (Duane) Nienhuis and Joey Lynn Ziegler, all of Oak Harbor; grandchildren Ame, Bart, Catie, Flint, Demi and Jack; and siblings Irene (Ernie) Hernandez of Shickshinny, Penn., and Roger (Charlotte) Paul of Newberry, Mich.

Honoring his wishes, cremation services were accorded with no public services scheduled. Memorials may be directed to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in memory of Duane M. Paul. Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com.

Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry, Mich., is assisting the family.