ELKHART -- Duane A. "Dude" Rabbitt, 83, died at 4:11 a.m. Wednesday (Dec. 31, 2008) at Elkhart General Hospital, after an extended battle with lukemia.

He was born June 20, 1925 in Battle Creek, Mich., to R. Raymond and Rose (Katzmarek) Rabbitt. He was married Sept. 13, 1947 in Battle Creek, Mich., to Evelyn F. Millar.

She survives along with two daughters, Kathryn Branch of Highland and Beverly Voth of Corbin, Ky.; three sons, James (Vicki) Rabbitt of Allendale, Mich., Thomas (Cindy) Rabbitt of Goshen, and Joseph Rabbitt of Austin, Texas; one brother, Robert (Ruth) Rabbitt of Battle Creek, Mich.; two sisters, Virginia Wilber of Battle Creek, Mich. and Barbara Carey of Battle Creek, Mich.; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by one brother, Jerry Rabbitt.

Mr. Rabbit was an engineering technician at the Kent Company of Elkhart for more than 20 years and retired in the early 1990s. He held a private pilot's license and enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting and watching the birds while gardening at home. He was a deacon at Grace Family Fellowship and enjoyed spending time there as a handyman fixing and repairing things. He was a hospital corpsman in the U.S. Navy during World War II, serving in the North Atlantic on hospital ships and troop transports.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart. A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with Pastor Henry Bontrager of Grace Family Fellowship of Elkhart officiating. Burial will follow at Rice Cemetary, with military honors rendered by the Elkhart DAV Chapter #19 and the U.S. Navy Funeral Honor Guard.

Memorials may be given to the Alzheimers Association, 50 W. 91st St. Suite 100, Indianapolis, Ind., 46209.

Online condolences may be given at www.billingsfuneralhome.com.