Duane Oldfather; Dec. 17, 2010

Duane D. Oldfather, 56, of Madison passed away early Friday, Dec. 17 with complications from leukemia.

Duane was employed by CAS Inc. as a senior technical analyst for the Program Management Office Aircraft Survivability Equipment.

A graduate of Indiana University, he retired from the military in 2006 after 24 years as an Army aviator. Duane spent 12 years as a special operations pilot with 3rd Battalion the Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR). He served in both Afghanistan and Iraq. Among his service awards, he received the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars, and the Meritorious Service Medal.

Besides his wife, Dana, and their children, he is survived by his mother, Joan Oldfather of Shipshewana, Ind.; father, Russ Oldfather of Porta Gunta, Fla.; sister, Lucinda King and husband Kevin of Elkhart, Ind.; brother, Fred Oldfather and wife Janee of Mooresville, Ind.; aunt and uncle, Sandra and Ron Burns of New Port Richey, Fla.; and his nieces.

Services were held at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 20 with visitation starting at 1 p.m. at Spry Funeral Home. A private family graveside service with full military honors followed.

Memorials may be made to the Russell Hill Cancer Foundation, 3601 CCI Drive, Huntsville, AL 35805.

Spry Funeral Home of Huntsville is assisting the family.