Vernon Leroy Duff, 95, of Buckley, died Sunday, May 17, 2026, at Orchard Creek Skilled Nursing & Rehab in Traverse City. He was born June 21, 1930, in Buckley, the son of Roland and Clara (Newton) Duff.

Vernon grew up in Buckley, Michigan, graduating from Buckley School in 1948, where he was Class Vice President. One of his first jobs was at J&S Hamburg on South Airport Road where he flipped burgers and eyed the pretty girls. But the gal who really caught his eye was Juanita Hunt who he spotted sunbathing on the front lawn of the farmhouse along M37 in Buckley where she lived with her mother and father who worked the farm. Vernon married Juanita Hunt February 17, 1951, and they spent the next 61 years raising their five children and enjoying the laughter of numerous grand- and great grandchildren. Juanita sadly preceded Vernon in death March 2, 2012.

Vernon joined the US Air Force in 1950 and he and his squadron received orders to report for duty in England after his training. He became a “lifer” in the Air Force and was stationed around the United States after returning from England in 1953. His tours of duty included Air Bases in Michigan, Texas, New Mexico, Alaska (then considered overseas duty), New York and California, working with classified materials and documents and operating giant punch-card computers. During his 20 years in the Air Force his squadron stayed in touch through organized annual and bi-annual reunions at various locations around the States, which he looked forward to. He and Juanita attended each reunion until the group grew so small. He was one of three remaining members of his original squadron until his very recent death.

Vernon retired honorably from the Air Force November 1, 1970 in California, and the family returned to Michigan shortly thereafter where both his and Juanita’s parents lived. Vernon loved to work with his hands and honed his trade as an auto mechanic with two Traverse City dealerships for years before arthritis caught up to him and he retired from the industry. Always a car buff, he would get excited, flash a big smile, and oogle whenever he spotted an older restored vehicle. He watched car shows on television, rarely missed the televised Barrett Jackson Auction, and could identify just about any older vehicle you pointed out to him. To this day he has a subscription to Motor Trend magazine.

Never one to sit idle he decided he needed another job and drove a school bus for the Buckley School District, enjoyed seeing the kids every school day, took treats for them on holidays, and drove the sports teams to and from their games. He’d take along a lawn chair and crossword puzzle book to help fill the time while keeping one eye on their games when he could. When Juanita’s health took a turn Vernon quit driving the bus and stayed at home to care for his ill wife, which he dedicatedly did until her death.

His time since Juanita’s passing was devoted to learning how to cook for himself, keep house and do laundry. He kept active by reading and doing crossword puzzles and jigsaw puzzles, building a table top working model train display, and traveling to Arizona and Florida to visit his daughters while getting away from cold Michigan winters. Vernon and his oldest son who lived next door until his son’s passing in February 2025, palled around and worked together to keep things running on Vernon’s property and kept one another entertained. Tractor talk, engines and all things mechanical kept Vernon engaged and active with all three of his sons throughout the years. He loved tackling outdoor chores while he could, repairing and restoring car and tractors engines, watching old Western movies, listening to country music, and watching for the deer to venture out of the woods behind his home.

Vernon also devoted time to his church, Faith Community Church of the Nazarene in Buckley, looking forward to attending services every week, serving on the church Board, and setting aside a portion of every morning at home for bible reading and prayers. He was Baptized December 1, 2019, further demonstrating his faithfulness.

Vernon is survived by his daughters Kristal MacDough of San Manuel, AZ; Sandra Schutte of Leesburg, FL; his son, Kenneth Duff Sr. and wife Victoria McCaffrey of Mason, MI; Daughter-in-law Pamela Duff of Buckley, MI (Gary Duff Sr.-deceased); Grandchildren Nicki (Frank) DeCurtis of Scottsdale, AZ; Christopher Jones of Scottsdale, AZ; Kyle (Angela) Schutte of DeWitt, MI; Joseph (Kerri) Schutte of Roanoke, VA; Angela Schutte of Buckley, MI; Mindy (Scott) Bollhoefer of Spartanburg, SC; Amanda (Allen) Wilkerson of Buckley, MI; Kenneth Duff Jr. (Heather) of Grand Rapids, MI; Chassidy Defaille of Clinton Township, MI; Ricky McCormick of Elk Hart, IN; Gary Duff Jr. of Buckley MI; Great Grandchildren, Nathaniel Schutte of DeWitt, MI; Kollin Schutte of DeWitt, MI; Liam Schutte of DeWitt, MI; Kathryn Schutte of Roakoke, VA; Jayson Duff of Buckley, MI; Haylee Beek of Grand Rapids, MI; Brayden Duff of Grand Rapids, MI; Iayn Duff of Grand Rapids, MI; Zaynen Duff of Grand Rapids, MI; Kirsten Duff of Grand Rapids, MI; Bentley McCormick of Elk Hart, IN; Bryant Wilkerson of Buckley, MI; Austin Duff of Buckley, MI; and Great-great Grandchild Carter Hoy of Grand Rapids, MI.

Preceding Vernon in death are sons David Duff of Buckley, MI; Gary Duff, Sr. of Buckley, MI; son-in-law Michael Schutte of Leesburg, FL; grandchild Patrick Shutte of Lansing, MI.

Memorial services will be conducted at 11:00 AM, Saturday, May 30, 2026, at Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, 200 N Brownson Avenue, Kingsley, Michigan 49649, with a time of receiving friends beginning at 10:00 AM.

A luncheon catered by JK Whispers will follow at the Faith Community Church of the Nazarene, 10473 Faith Drive, Buckley, Michigan 49620.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Covell-Kingsley Chapel, is in charge of arrangements. 

www.beaconfh.com