David 'Duke' Duchoslav

David 'Duke' Duchoslav, 83, passed away Sunday, July 12, 2026, after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. He was surrounded with love from his family and by the caregivers and residents at O'Neill Healthcare in North Ridgeville. David was born April 24, 1943, in Lorain, Ohio. He graduated from Lorain High School in 1961 and proudly enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he specialized in Aviation Structural Mechanics. He was stationed at NAS Miramar, CA with Squadron VFP-63 and served aboard aircraft carriers USS Kitty Hawk and USS Oriskany. After the Navy, Dave worked at the Pfaudler Company before beginning a long career as a tractor-trailer driver for UPS. Dave retired from UPS after 30 years of distinguished service and was honored with a 30-year safe driving award. However, as his caregivers and fellow residents can attest to, his safe driving record did not follow him as he transitioned to wheelchair driving. Dave married his beautiful bride, Karen (nee Hutchins), and raised their family in LaGrange, Ohio. He truly loved the LaGrange community, the amazing neighbors, friends and high school sports teams he followed closely. Dave was a 49 year member of the LaGrange Global Methodist Church. He was an avid sportsman who enjoyed target shooting and took great pride in making his own ammunition as part of the Firelands Peacemakers. He valued the friendships he made and the time spent enjoying the outdoors. Dave was preceded in death by his parents, George and Agnes Duchoslav; his sister, Donna Witt, and son, Dale Duchoslav. He is lovingly remembered by his loving wife, Karen Duchoslav of 49 years; his children, Tracy (Rob) Clarico, Amy Case, Lisa (Ronnie) Frabotta, Craig (Vickie) Case, and Jason (Krissi) Duchoslav; his grandchildren, Leigha, Erica, Ty, Katie, Zoey, Kasey, Mia, and Sophia; his great-grandchildren, Karina, Santana, and Ocean; along with many extended family members and friends who will miss him dearly. Dave was proud of his children, grandchildren, and great- grandchildren and loved to joke with them and brag to everyone about his family. When they parted saying, 'I love you,' Dave always replied, 'Not as much as I love you.' Dave will be remembered for his dedication to his family, his immense love for his dogs, his strong work ethic, his service to his country, and the many lives he touched throughout his life. His memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him. The family will receive friends Thursday, July 16, 2026 from 4 p.m. until the time of services at 6 p.m. at the Laubenthal-Mercado Funeral Home 38475 Chestnut Ridge Rd., Elyria. Burial will follow at a later date at Ridgehill Memorial Park, Amherst Twp. Online condolences may be expressed at www.laubenthamercado.com