Duane Powell

Duane J. Powell, age 68, of Alma, MI, passed away in his home surrounded by his family on Friday, October 7, 2016.

A memorial service celebrating Duane's life will be held at Powell Fabrication & Manufacturing, Inc., 740 E. Monroe Rd., St. Louis, MI, on Friday, October 14, 2016, at 11:00 A.M.  Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 13, 2016, from 5 to 8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes, 117 N. East St., St. Louis, MI.

Duane was born in Alma, MI, on May 25, 1948, the son of Clarence and Evelyn (Conklin) Powell.  He graduated from St. Louis High School with the class of 1966 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Michigan in 1971.  Along with holding many other professional licenses, Duane was a licensed Professional Engineer. Duane married Vicki Chessin on March 21, 1981, at Dunning Memorial Chapel at Alma College.  Their daughter, Lane Chessin Powell, was born in June 1989.

Duane led Powell Fabrication & Manufacturing, Inc. as CEO and President for the last 45 years.  Powell Fab, a St. Louis-based company with 36 employees, is a manufacturer and global supplier of systems for bleach production, chemical mixing, and the safe handling of chlorine and other hazardous chemicals.  Powell Fab has sold systems on every continent except Antarctica and in over 50 different countries. About seventy percent of the bleach produced in North America comes from Powell continuous systems.  Duane, either singly or jointly, held at least 12 U.S. patents and two international patents.  Duane also owned and operated Powell’s Service, Inc., a leading contractor in plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical, until it was sold in the mid-1990s.  Duane's passions included drag racing, boating, basketball, dirt bike riding, scuba diving, and collecting classic cars.

Duane is survived by his wife Vicki Chessin, his daughter Lane Powell, Lane's fiancé Noah Klugman, and two sisters; Darlene Johnson and Doloris Kamphuis.  Duane was preceded in death by his parents.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Powell Chessin Gratiot County Science Education Fund - Gratiot County Community Foundation, P.O. Box 248, Ithaca, MI 48847.  Online condolences can be sent at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com.  The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis, MI.