Michael D. Duckworth Sr.

Michael Duckworth Sr., 75, of Creston, died Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, at Greater Regional Health in Creston. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 11, at Powers Funeral Home, 601 New York Avenue, Creston. Pastor Mary O’Riley will officiate. The service will be livestreamed at a link under events, found at www.powersfh.com. Open visitation will be from 2 to 7 p.m., with family to receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 10, at the funeral home. Full graveside military rites by the Theodore J. Martens Post #1797, Creston V.F.W.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the family or the Creston Lions Club. Online condolences may be made at www.powersfh.com.

Michael Duane Duckworth Sr. was born Jan. 10, 1948, the son of Scott Oliver Duckworth and Norma Jean (Swartz) Duckworth in Creston. He was educated in Creston Schools, transferring to Mount Ayr during junior high, and graduating in 1966. During high school he worked at the Smith Oil Station in Mount Ayr.

Mike went on to Bell Tech Institute for machinist training. He volunteered with the United States Army where he served as a machinist for two years, one of which, in Vietnam. After his discharge, he returned to Mount Ayr and worked construction.

On Oct. 24, 1970, Mike married Carri L. Reynolds in Mount Ayr. Together they had two sons, Michael “Scott” and Jason Duane. Mike drove a truck route for the Atlantic Bottling Company (Coca-Cola) plant in Creston, then worked at the Creston Police Department for three and a half years, leaving June 1977, as a sergeant.

Next, they went to Long Beach, California, for diving school, cleaning yachts and underwater pipelines. Returning to Creston, Mike took a deputy sheriff position with the Union County Sheriff’s Office in April 1978. Mike and Carri divorced in 1979.

On Jan. 10, 1980, Mike married Jo Anne (McGuire) Lisk in Creston. Mike gained a daughter, Dani Marie Lisk, by this marriage. Also, together they had a son, Michael Duane Duckworth Jr.

Mike continued with the Union County Sheriff’s Office as chief deputy for almost six years.

In fall 1984, Mike took a position as a probation and parole officer with the Iowa Department of Corrections, retiring in 2008. Needing some work to do in retirement, he took a position with the city of Creston as a nuisance officer, addressing neglected properties.

Survivors include his wife, Jo Anne Duckworth; their children: Michael “Scott” Duckworth of Creston, Dani Marie (Lisk) Witmer (Kenneth) of Des Moines, Jason Duane Duckworth of Van Wert and Michael Duane Duckworth Jr. (Anna Parrott) of Creston; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a sister, Leesa (Allen) Lester of Creston; a brother, Robert “Tony” Lee (Crystal Heyveld) of Creston and numerous additional extended family members.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, parents-in-law, brother- and sisters-in-law.