Gerald Duane Whartman, 74, peacefully passed Wednesday January 24, 2024 at he and his daughter’s residence in Georgia. Duane was born April 4, 1949 to Jerry and Eileen (O’Malley) Whartman in Ogallala, Nebraska.
Duane lived between Nebraska and Mitchell, South Dakota during his youth and returned to Alliance to graduate high school from Saint Agnes Academy in 1967. Duane enlisted in the Navy in January 1968 where he was a marine mechanic. While in the Navy, Duane also graduated from Naval Nuclear Power School which he was always very proud of. When he left the military in 1971, he came home to Alliance to work, where he met Christine Gausman. They were united in marriage on May 5, 1977. To this union 3 children were born, Luke, Nathan, and Amanda.
Duane moved his upholstery shop from Alliance to Polson, Montana shortly before he and Christine married. While in Polson he enjoyed fishing the pristine waters of Flathead Lake, hunting in the surrounding mountain ranges, and appreciating all the natural beauty of that area. It was in Polson that the three children were born. In 1987 they moved to Spearfish, South Dakota to continue raising their family. Duane moved his shop here and operated Spearfish Upholstery, for the next 18 years. He was extremely talented and was an artist when it came to refinishing furniture, but antiques were always his favorite.
After a short stint living and working in Sheridan Wyoming, where he once again spent his free time enjoying the outdoors with his brother-in-law Hollis Hackman and son Luke, Duane returned home to Alliance to be close to his mother Eileen as she struggled with dementia, and to re-open his shop in the place he considered home. His shop went through a couple of name changes while in Alliance, first being Upholstery Renaissance followed by Old Goat, because well, he was an old goat. He worked up until his memory and body no longer allowed him to put the pieces of fabric back together on his projects.
Duane was a quick-witted funny man who had the most infectious laugh. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, listening to the best music, of which his son Nathan’s was his favorite, or as long as it had a good guitar player, and teaching his grandkids things they probably shouldn’t know; being the privilege of a grandparent, like how to be extra sneaky and where to hide from the police if they came knocking. He was blessed to spend the remainder of his days in the care of his daughter Amanda and grandchildren Slade, Gracelin, and Hudson, who showered him with love and affection.
Duane leaves behind his children, Luke, Nathan, and Amanda, grandchildren Hannah and Audrey Whartman and Slade, Gracelin, and Hudson Hunter, his siblings Jim (PJ) Whartman, Jeanne (Hollis) Hackman, and Paul (Jody) Whartman.
He is preceded in death by his father; Jerry Whartman, mother; Eileen Wilkins, and step-father; Wayne Wilkins.