Obituary: Robert James “Deacon Bob” Duncan

Obituary was published and funeral arrangements were entrusted to the care and direction of the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home and Crematory.

Robert James “Deacon Bob” Duncan

Robert James “Deacon Bob” Duncan passed on to his Heavenly reward January 6, 2026 after a brief illness, with his family by his side.

Bob was born on July 11, 1942, in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, to Howard and Agnes (nee Elsen) Duncan, arriving on their sixth wedding anniversary. He attended Notre Dame Catholic Grade School and spent many childhood summers at his Uncle Took’s farm in Bangor, Wisconsin. He attended McDonell Catholic High School and graduated from Chippewa Falls High School in 1960. He immediately joined the United States Army and since it was peace time, he learned a lot, and had fun while seeing the world. He was honorably discharged in 1962, having achieved the rank of SP5.

A young man in 1962 Wisconsin needed two things, a job and a wife and he found both. He moved to Illinois, and started his 30 year career at Caterpillar Tractor Company. On November 14th, 1964 he married Sharon “Lucky” Lloyd at Notre Dame Church in Chippewa Falls.

In 2007, he realized his true calling when he was ordained in the Catholic Church as a Deacon. He especially loved social justice, prison ministry, mission trips to Haiti, retreats, teaching religious education and bringing the Eucharist to the homebound. He enjoyed so many interactions and adventures with St. Ann parishioners through fish frys, picnics, men’s club, golf outings and hiking and camping with his church buddies.

Bob is survived by his four children, Debbie (Stephen) Girardi of Sheboygan, WI, Robert (Chrissy) Duncan of Watertown, NY, Pamela (Stephen) Groszek, of Chicago and Kimberly (Eric) Gray, of New Lenox. He is also survived by his six granddaughters, Cierra Balfour, Ally Duncan, Maggie and Elizabeth Groszek and Jillian and Cassidy Gray; his brother, John (Pam) Duncan; his sister, Judy (Danny) Ramaker; his sister-in-law Elaine Duncan; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; his wife’s parents, Robert and Naomi Lloyd; his brother, Tom Duncan; and his sister Patsy (Paul) Sokup.

Visitation for Deacon Bob will be held Friday, January 9, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., St. Ann Catholic Church, 24500 S. Navajo Drive, Channahon, IL. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at the church, where he will Lie-in-State from 12:00 Noon until the time of his Mass of Christian Burial at 1:00 p.m. A luncheon at the church will immediately follow the Mass.

Interment in Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, will be Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., Family and friends are invited to meet at the cemetery at 10:45 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Lightways Hospice (www.lightways.org) or St. Ann Catholic Church would be appreciated.

For more information, please call (815) 741-5500, or visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com where you can leave a condolence or share a favorite memory.

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