Walter "Duke" Maniteau

Walter "Duke" Maniteau Jr., 74, of Lake, passed away Friday, May 28, 2021, surrounded by his family, at MidMichigan Medical Center in Midland, Michigan, after a courageous battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis. Duke was born at the Evart Maternity Home in Evart, Michigan, September 23, 1946. He was the sixth child of seven born to Walter Roy and Martha Catherine (Selvig) Maniteau. He married his sweetheart, Ruth Anne Smith on October 19, 1968, at St. Mary's Catholic Church on the campus of CMU in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. They were blessed with four children, Catherine "Cay", Cari, Christopher, and Chana. Duke worked for the C & O Railroad before and after his two-year service as a U.S. Marine. His philosophy was, "Once a Marine, always a Marine" and he would show that in the way he lived his life of selflessness and generosity to help and support anyone who needed him. He stood up for what he felt was right. After leaving the railroad, he worked as an insulation installer. In 1979 he began working as a commercial and residential contractor and would eventually build his and Ruth Anne's retirement home, overlooking a creek with deer, turkey, rabbits, and sand hill cranes. Cardiomyopathy forced an early retirement, but he would continue to help when former clients and friends called with work, as he was able. He was an avid card player, golfer, hunter, fisher, camper, and truly loved nature. Duke spent may years on the Natural Resources and Environmental Commission as a tribal member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians as well as the Grand Traverse Economic Development Board. He enjoyed Pow Wows and his connections in the GTB. He and Ruth Anne enjoyed spending winters in Florida, traveling in Alaska and western states, and spending time at their cabin in Paradise, Michigan, that they built together. Duke was a founding and member of the Alano Club in Mt. Pleasant and a proud 45-year member of AA. Duke was a member of St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Beal City, former member of St. Henry/St. Charles Parishes, and was active in Sacred Heart Parish activities. Duke is survived by his wife of 52 years, Ruth Anne; three daughters, Catherine (Pat) Marchiando of Weidman, Cari Maniteau of Weidman, and Chana (Jason) Black of Petoskey; grandchildren, Brittany (Grant) Pohl, Jessica Weatherwax-Marchiando, and Joe Marchiando, Chinodin, Ozaawagiizhig, Naawidegiizhig, and Naawikichigaamii Manito, and Christopher and Trent Black; great grandchildren, Grayden, Tanner, and Dawson Pohl (Duke's birthday twin); siblings, Jay Nicholson of Barryton, Carol Vanstee of Lowell, and Mary (Stan) Burgess of Alto; sister in-law, Barb Nicholson of Delton; and many loving nieces and nephews. He will be missed by so many people, including his good friends from his various coffee groups. Duke was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather, R.G. Fountain; son, Christopher; siblings, Jean Gill, Jo Ann Groendahl, and Clifford Nicholson; niece, Kandie Groendahl; nephews, Jack Nicholson and Dan Reinhart; and in-laws, Helen Nicholson, Kenneth Groendahl, and Bill Vanstee. A Funeral Mass for Duke will be celebrated at 11 a.m Wednesday, June 2, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Ron Wagner as celebrant and Deacon Larry Fussman assisting. A luncheon will immediately follow at the Beal City Knights of Columbus Hall. The family will receive friends on Tuesday at Charles R. Lux Family Funeral Home from 3-7:30 p.m. with the Vigil beginning at 7:30 p.m. Visitation continues at the church on Wednesday one hour prior to Mass. Memorial contributions may be made to the family. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home and church. To sign the online guest book or leave a condolence for the family please visit www.CharlesRLux.com.