Obituary of Duane A. Converse

Olean, NY Duane A. Converse, 60, of 1012 W. Sullivan St. passed away unexpectedly Wednesday (August 17, 2016) at the Olean General Hospital. Born December 26, 1955 in Olean, he was the son of Neil L. and Dorothy Learn Converse. Duane was a graduate of Hinsdale Central School where he received a high school diploma with a technical engineering certificate from BOCES. He had worked for over 40 years for Dresser Rand, having been employed there since high school. He loved motorcycle riding and he used to race stock cars. He also enjoyed traveling, especially to the Philippines. He was very good at fixing and improving things and was always staying busy and had a good heart toward helping others. Surviving are his father Neil Converse of Hinsdale; his close friend and confidante of over 30 years Linda Barlett of Olean; 2 daughters Maria (Douglas N. Reed, Jr.) Converse of Olean and Sylvia Barlett of Olean; 4 grandchildren Tiffani Showers, Angela Showers, Mason Reed and Natalie Nam; 2 brothers Lawrence Converse and Neil Converse, both of Hinsdale; 2 sisters Holly Kennedy of Phoenix, VA and Stacey McCready of Olean and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his mother who died in 2005 he was predeceased by a son Corry Converse in 2013 and 2 sisters Martha Studley in 1995 and an infant sister Rose Marie Converse. Friends will be received on Monday (August 22, 2016) from 1-3pm at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home 3128 W. State Rd. Olean. Services will begin at 3pm in the funeral home. Burial will be in Hinsdale Cemetery, Maplehurst. Memorials may be made to the ReHabilitation Center 1439 Buffalo St. Olean, NY 14760 or to a charity of the donor's choice. Online condolences may be expressed at oleanfuneralhome.com.