White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Independence – Duane Irwin Geater, 82 years old, of Independence, Iowa, died on Monday, February 27, 2012, at the Physicians Regional Hospital in Naples, Florida.  He was born on January 8, 1930, in Vinton, Iowa, the son of Earl George and Myrtle Clime (Ralston) Geater.  He graduated from high school in Vinton with the Class of 1948.  On August 13, 1950, he and the former Eloise Edna Shahan were married in Vinton.  They moved to Independence in 1962 and started Geater Machining and Manufacturing.  The third generation of the family is now involved in the business, continuing a legacy of 50 years in the Independence community.

Mr. Geater was active in the Jaycees. He was an avid machinist and inventor.  He was a golfer and fisherman.  He was a pilot and in addition to small planes, he flew an ultra-light airplane (which he built) and a gyrocopter.  He also enjoyed traveling in his motorhome.

Mr. Geater is survived by his wife of 62 years, Eloise, 2 daughters, Judy (John) Gaffney and Cindy (Dan) O’Bryon, and 1 son, Scott (Deb) Geater, all of Independence, Iowa.  He is also survived by 9 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, and 2 sisters, Elma (Eleanor DeSilva) Geater of Vinton, Iowa, and Kay Strohecker of Independence, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents and 1 brother, Jim Geater.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 3, 2012, at the First United Methodist Church in Independence with Dr. David A. Larson officiating.  Music will be provided by Mary Schubich, organist, and Debbie Michael, vocal soloist.  Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence.  Friends may call for visitation from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, March 2^nd, at the White Funeral Home in Independence.

A Memorial Fund has been established for The Duane Geater Scholorship Fund, Buchanan County Animal Shelter and the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation.