Duane Hinds Obituary

Duane Mayo Hinds, 97, passed away at his home in Gardena, CA., on June 9, 2025. Duane was born on December 23, 1927 in Holloway, Ohio to Orville Dwaine Hinds and Margaret Moreland. Orville's job working on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, moved his family to Lorain, OH. Duane played baseball during high school and was heavily involved in theater. After graduating from Clearview High School, he and Valerie Jenkins-Gertzenberger helped to found (The County) Workshop Players, which is still staging plays in Amherst, Ohio today. In 1945 Duane started College at Miami of Ohio. When he became draft eligible, he enlisted in the Navy. He was stationed in Guam and was home by the winter holidays of 1947. He then finished his degree at Miami.He met Betty Bodnar while she was working at a bank. In 1955 he drove to California to find a job. As soon as he was employed, he sent for Betty and they were married on March 10, 1956 at The Church of Our Saviour in San Gabriel, CA. They had a house in Hollywood where they welcomed their first son, Mark. By 1960, they had moved into a newly-built home in Gardena, CA as they were expecting their second son, Christian. In 1979 he earned his private pilot license.Duane retired as a Claims Unit Manager for Allstate after 30 years. After retiring, Duane served as a Planning Commissioner for the City of Gardena. He enjoyed life with Betty, often attending plays and watching old movies on his favorite channel TCM. He kept up with his hobbies of flying, tending to his garden, playing golf, and loved his new title of "Grandpa." Sadly, Betty "his sweetheart," passed away on February 14, 2023. Duane is survived by his son, Mark and his wife Marisela (Camberos), and their son Robert; daughter in law Ana (Fausto) wife of Christian (1960-2004) and their children Hannah and Ian; niece Christine (Nori) Fiessinger, of Ohio, and her husband Mark. Viewing will be held on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 from 10:30-12:00 noon, with a reception from 12:00-2:00PM at Lighthouse MacMillan Mortuary, 1016 W. 164th St. Gardena, CA.