Lt. Colonel Duane John Harings, USAF, (Ret.), of Powder Springs, GA died on Sunday, May 6, 2012, at Tranquility Hospice. He was 75.

He was the beloved husband of 45 years to Annette Salerno Harings.

Born in Chippewa Falls, WI, he was the son of the late Arnold and Florence Swoboda Harings.

Duane, the oldest of eight children, grew up in a farming community in Wisconsin. He joined the Air Force in 1960 where he enjoyed a much-decorated 28-year career. He was awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal among many others.

During his career, Duane served as a linguist, personnel manager, missile launch officer and instructor, and the Division Chief for National Security Emergency Preparedness for the East Coast and Europe. After his retirement from the Air Force, he worked at Scientific Atlanta as a systems manager in their set-top box division.
In full retirement, Duane was a busy member of his church and the Knights of Columbus, where he achieved the rank of 4th Degree Knight, Grand Knight, Knight of the Year and Family of the Year for the State of Georgia. In addition to devoting himself to his church, Duane was a role model to many children through the Douglas One2One mentoring program.

He was a man of many talents and hobbies which included a love of traveling, reading, singing in church, to his grandchildren or any one in earshot, debating politics, visiting with friends, playing cards, particularly poker, savoring a good glass of red wine and telling bad jokes. The love he gave to his family, especially his grandchildren will always be admired by those who knew him.

In addition to his beloved wife Annette, he is also survived by his children Carolyn Van Damme and her husband Paul of Alexandria, VA, Kathleen Fluehr and her husband Joseph of Doylestown, PA, Martin Harings and his wife Annisa of Rockmart, GA and Jennifer Harings of Powder Springs, GA, his brothers Robert and Kay Harings of Chetek, WI, James and Virginia Harings of Chippewa Falls, WI, Dennis and Linda Harings of Chippewa Falls, WI, Joseph Harings of Eau Claire, WI, his sisters, Vernetta and John Schwartz of Bloomer, WI , Marilyn and Loren Elkin of Nekoosa, WI, and Anne and Jeffrey Steinmetz of Bloomer, WI and his brothers and sisters in law Charles and Susan Salerno of Jasper, GA and Paul and Kay Salerno of Cartersville, GA. He is also survived by his 7 dear grandchildren William and Brittani Harings, Katerina, Elena, and Isabella Van Damme, and Joseph and Margaret Fluehr, and his 2 great-grandchildren Martin and Olivia Harings.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his viewing Thursday, May 10, 2012 from 5:00 — 8:00 pm at the Davis-Struempf Funeral Home 1975 East-West Connector Austell, GA 30106 and on Friday, May 11, 2012 from 9:00 am until his Funeral Mass 10:00 am at St John Vianney Catholic Church, 1920 Skyview Drive, Lithia Springs, GA 30122.

His interment will be held at 2:00 pm at the Georgia National Cemetery, 1080 Veterans Cemetery Road, Canton, GA 30114.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, 1120 G Street, NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20005, or the Knights of Columbus Scholarship Fund, 2858 Lost Lakes Way, Powder Springs, GA 30127.