Duane Robert Hanyzewski

Duane Robert Hanyzewski passed away surrounded by his family on April 17, 2026, in South Bend, Indiana, at the age of 90.

Duane was born on December 9, 1935, in South Bend, Indiana, to the late Sylvester Hanyzewski and Lucille (Sojka) Hanyzewski, who preceded him in death. His younger brother, Dennis Hanyzewski also recently preceded him in death.  He grew up in South Bend where he played football, basketball, baseball, ran track, was part of the Engineer Club and graduated from Washington High School in 1953. Following high school, he proudly served in the U.S. Army Reserves for 6 years and played football on city leagues as well as on the Army base. Duane married the love of his life, Laverne Gaines, on August 12, 1961, and together they shared 64 years together.

Duane spent most of his working years employed first at Studebaker and later at Allied Products, also known as South Bend Stamping, where he worked as a die setter. During his time there, he also served as a Union Stewart, Committee Man, and Recording Secretary, roles that reflected his dedication to his fellow workers and his willingness to take on responsibility. He took great pride in his negotiating skills.  He retired in 1997 after a long and faithful career.

Outside of work, Duane lived a life filled with interests that brought him joy and connected him to the people and places he loved. He raised Beagles and enjoyed running field trials with them as well as hunting. He loved his dogs deeply and always had one.  The most recent one being named Wrigley, appropriately, since he was an avid CUBS fan as well as a big Notre Dame fan.  He looked forward to fishing in the summer and took great pleasure in gardening, always growing enough to share with friends. Another unique pastime Duane had was to make homemade Polish sausage to have for the holidays.  He even brought everything needed to the classroom for his granddaughter to share with her class during their heritage projects.  He and Laverne traveled to many places together, including Hawaii, Alaska, and Europe.  He always had an interest in painting, watching and recording Bob Ross episodes to learn new techniques, and was always looking for inspiration.  He found that inspiration in photos and magazines and then turned them into oil paintings, believing that the more one practiced painting, the better one became.  He was a member of American Legion Post #284, the Michiana Beagle Club, the Lakeville Conservation Club, and the Jokers Club.  Duane also found great happiness in watching his granddaughters, Haley and Jordyn, compete in 4-H events, his grandson, Clay, play basketball on travel teams and at Grand Haven High School and teaching his great-grandsons, Parker and Fitz, to fish.  Above all, he cherished time spent gathering with family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Laverne Hanyzewski; his children, Gayle (Jim) Landsman and Douglas Hanyzewski; his grandchildren, Haley (Brayden) Duran, Jordyn Landsman, and Clay Landsman; his great-grandchildren, Parker and Fitz Duran; and many extended family members and friends. He will be remembered with love and gratitude by all whose lives he touched.

A Celebration of Duane’s Life will be held at 1pm on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at American Legion Post 284, 23571 Grant Rd, South Bend, IN 46619.  The family would like to thank Seniors Helping Seniors, Paradigm Health and the Madison Township Fire Department for all their help in the past few months.  Hahn Funeral Home has been entrusted with the final arrangements and extends their deepest sympathies to the Hanyzewski family.

To leave an online condolence or to share a memory, please visit www.hahnfuneralhomes.com 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Duane Robert Hanyzewski, please visit our floral store.