STUTTGART — Donald Joseph Duch,

81, of Stuttgart, passed away on February 10, 2023. He was born on August 2, 1941, to Loddie and Alma Taylor Duch of Slovak, Ark. He is survived by his loving wife Bessie Smith Duch and his children: Chris

Duch (Amy) of Jonesboro, Mark Duch (Shelley) and Amanda Duch Moore (John) of Little Rock; his grandchildren Garrett and Gunner Duch, Madeline and Conner Duch, Malcolm, Andrew and Sarah Wallace Moore. He is survived by his bonus children: Ralph Smith Jr. (Jane) of Hazen, Maris Cason (Mike), Brian Smith, Heather Greenhill (Danny) of Stuttgart and bonus grandchildren: Lucy Raper (Ray), Chase Smith (Emily), Drew Cason (Emily), Jamie and Scott Cason, Riley and Maci Smith, Matthew Greenhill and 11 great-grandchildren. Survivors also include his siblings Geraldine Osborn, Erven Duch (Bobbie), and Bennie Duch (Linda) and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 42 years, Charlene Wilcox Duch; and his sister, Mamie Parker.

He was a lifelong resident of Stuttgart and after graduating from Subiaco Academy began his farming career on the family farm. He partnered with his brother Erven in Duch Brothers Irrigation in Lonoke. He also owned and operated a Semi-Trailer Truck business for several years. Later he joined Lennox Ind. and retired in 2007. He never slowed down after retirement and kept busy working to the end. He lived life to the fullest and could light up a room the minute he walked in. Donnie had a magnetic personality; people were always drawn to him.

Double D, as most people knew him, loved ALL things outdoors. He loved to fly his plane. He was a self-made man, self taught, and a true original. He loved fishing, hunting, yard work, vegetable gardening, working in his shop, tinkering on his Model A Ford; all of these he greatly enjoyed sharing with his adored grandchildren.

He was a member of First Baptist Church of Stuttgart where he was very involved in his Sunday school class and Bible studies over the years.

A Celebration of Donnie’s Life will be held on Thursday, February 16, at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Stuttgart. Visitation is from 10-11 a.m. A private burial service will be held for the family at a later time.

The family requests memorials be made to First Baptist Church, 2115 S. Prairie St., Stuttgart, Ark., 72160; or Baptist Health Foundation, RE: Heart of Faith Fund, 9601 Baptist Health Dr., Little Rock, Ark., 72205. www.turpin-co.com