Duane Dolliver Block

Duane Block passed away September 19, 2017, at the age of 79. He was born and raised in Gladwin, MI along with two brothers and a sister. Since the time he was a child, he had a great fondness for Native Americans and the Old West. At the age of 16, that interest turned into a long road trip to the Four Corners area. Duane discovered a small community called Mexican Water, AZ, and he knew in his heart that someday he would come back to live and work there. A few years passed, Duane met and married Marjorie Henderson, and the two of them agreed that they were called to be missionaries to the Navajo Indians. Together, they went back out west and made their homestead in Mexican Water where they served and developed relationships within the Navajo community for 33 years. After retiring from missions work, Duane and his family made their permanent home in Cortez, CO. He was an active member at Arriola Bible church where he preached occasionally, taught men's Bible studies, visited the sick and home bound, and served as an Elder. His interests included hunting, fishing, gardening, puttering around the yard, and reading Old West stories from favorite authors such as Louis L'Amour and Zane Grey. He is survived by his wife, Marjorie Block of 59 years, his daughter, Beth Schlagel of Berthoud, son Randy and daughter-in-law, Tamara, of Phoenix and his 6 grandchildren, Chad & Jonathan Schlagel, Bryce, Krista, Kayla and Lindsey Block. A memorial service is scheduled for October 7th, at 11:00 am at Arriola Bible Church.