Duane Harter

     Duane Harter, age 74, a resident of Portland, passed away on Friday, November 20, 2020 at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie. 

     Duane was born on June 28, 1946, in Jay County, the son of Hank Harter and Juanita Steen.  Duane loved his wife and family most.  They were his whole life.  He spent 56 wonderful years with his wife Louise (Brown).  You could see them cruising around town on their golf cart with their 2 dogs, grandkids or great-grandchildren most summer days. 

     Survivors include:

     His wife of 56 years:  Louise Harter – Portland

     2 sons:  Mike Harter (wife Tammy) – Richmond

                         Mitch Harter (wife Lisa) – Portland

     2 sisters:  Candy Waters – North Carolina

                      Shawn Bullard (husband Phil) – Hartford City

      10 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren

     Duane had a special place in his heart for his granddaughter, Kecia, who lived with them during her teenage years.  She is like a daughter and he loved spending time with her and her family. 

      His grandson, Jordon, also spent lots of special times with Duane over the years.  ALL of his grandchildren were very important to him and he loved them very much.  Even when he didn’t see them or talk to them for a while. 

       Duane enjoyed spending time at their camper.  He loved the outdoors and spent many days hunting and fishing in Portland with his son Mitch or traveling to Northern Indiana or Michigan to fish with his son Mike and daughter-in-law Tammy.  When the boys were young, the 3 of them would go fishing in northern Michigan and sleep in their van.  Duane also had a passion for traveling to Las Vegas.  He took many trips there over the years with his boys and their families.  He was very adventurous and had a true spirit to live life to the fullest. 

       Duane also loved his church family.  He enjoyed talking with everyone at church and making them laugh.  He always shared his mints or candy with kids and he always helped anyone that needed a hand. 

        Duane was a very hard worker and was always on the go.  Duane and his wife Louise, built a great firework business over the last 46 years with their 2 sons.  Duane loved selling and lighting fireworks.  He loved the people he met every year that came to his firework store.  Duane was a people person that could talk and have a great time with everyone he met.  People came to his firework store every year just to see him.

        Duane loved his show truck and spending time at the car shows with his wife.  They attended the Ducktails Car Show in Gas City every year.  He had many great friends there that loved to see him.  They would save his special parking spot each year.  Duane also served as President of the Hollowblock Monster Cruisers for 11 years.  They hosted their annual car show in Portland for 11 years.  They helped many families through their work with the car show.  Duane had a huge heart and enjoyed those car shows every year. 

         Visitation will be held on Saturday from 11 a.m. – 1 :30 p.m. at The Family Worship Center in Portland.  Services to celebrate Duane’s life will follow at 1:30 p.m. at the church.  Burial will follow at Green Park Cemetery in Portland.  

     Memorials may be directed towards the family of Duane Harter. 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.