Clayton “Clayt” Gabriel Duink
Clayton “Clayt” Gabriel Duink, 90, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2020, at UPMC Hamot in Erie, Pa., surrounded by his family after a short illness.
He was born at Corry Memorial Hospital on March 27, 1929, to the late Lewis and Mildred Duink of Clymer, N.Y. Clayt married Avalon R. Kniphuisen on Dec. 28, 1954. The couple had celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary last December.
He graduated from Clymer Central School in 1946. After high school, he worked as a self-employed carpenter with his father in Clymer, N.Y. Clayton served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, and was stationed on Saint Lawrence Island, Alaska for three years as a Morse Code Interceptor with the Army Security Agency. After discharge, he resumed working with his father. He and his father built numerous barns and homes in the area as well as hundreds of remodels. He later accepted the head custodian position at Clymer Central School until retirement.
He was a member of the Clymer Fire Department for 68 years and was an assistant fire chief for 25 of those years. He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Corry, Pa., and a member of the Clymer United Methodist Church.
Surviving are three children: Robert L. Duink (Beth) of Horseheads, N.Y., Barbara A. Duink (Pikkie), of Carrollton, Ohio, and Elizabeth M. Phelps (Timothy) of Clymer, N.Y.; son-in-law, Bryan Caflisch, of Clymer, N.Y.; seven grandchildren: Stacy L. Duink, Amy M. Dowty (Douglass), Scott R. Caflisch (Kate), Samantha K. Clark (Corey), Carolanne R. Keim (Michael), Anna Daina and Kanako Numata; two great-grandchildren: Jayden K. Clark and Simeon Z. Dowty; a brother, Jerrold L. Duink (Marie) of New Hartford, N.Y.; sisters-in-law: Anita Kniphuisen and Sister Anne W. Kniphuisen, R.D.C.; and many nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Elaine D. Caflish; a sister, Audrey M. Hutton; brother, Earl L. Duink; brothers-in-law: Andrew Hutton and Raymond Kniphuisen; sister- in-law, Shirley Duink; and niece, Mary Lou Hutton Morvay.
Friends will be received on Sunday Jan. 26, 2020 from 3-5 p.m., at the Clymer United Methodist Church, 565 Clymer-Sherman Road, Clymer, N.Y., where funeral services will be held Monday January 27, 2020, at 10 am. Burial will be in the Holland Cemetery, Clymer, N.Y. following the service.
Memorials may be made to the Clymer Fire Department, P.O. Box 31, Clymer, N.Y. or the Clymer United Methodist Church, Clymer, N.Y.
Arrangements by David J. Dengler, Spitzer Funeral Home, Clymer, N.Y.