Avalon “Avie” Rose Kniphuisen Duink

Avalon “Avie” Rose Kniphuisen Duink, 89, passed away on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at Senior Suites at Century Farms in Carrollton, Ohio, surrounded by her family after a short illness.

She was born in Brooklyn Hospital, Brooklyn, New York, on April 8, 1934 to the late Raymond and Anna Kniphuisen of Bayside, New York.  Avalon married Clayton G. Duink from Clymer, New York on December 28, 1954 and they were married for 65 years.

Avalon graduated from Bishop McDonnell Memorial High School, Brooklyn, New York and then attended Good Council College in White Plains, New York for two and one half years.  Avie and Clayt settled in Clymer, New York and she was a stay-at-home mom for ten years then worked as the Librarian for the Clymer French-Creek Free Library until accepting a position as a Teachers Aide at Clymer Central School until her retirement.  Avalon was also a member of the Clymer Volunteer Fire Department and was a certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).  She was a Life Member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Corry, PA., and a member of the Clymer United Methodist Church.

Surviving are three children:  Robert L. Duink (Beth), of Horseheads, N.Y., Barbara A. Duink (Pikkie), of Carrollton, Ohio, Elizabeth M. Phelps (Timothy), of Clymer, N.Y., son-in-law: Bryan Caflisch, of Clymer, N.Y., seven grandchildren: Stacy L. Duink, Amy M. Dowty (Douglass), Scott R. Caflisch (Kate), Samantha K. Clark (Corey), of Carrollton, Ohio, Carolanne R. Keim (Michael), Anna Daina, Kanako Numata; five great-grandchildren: Jayden K. Clark, of Carrollton, Ohio, Simeon Z. Dowty, Landon M. Keim, Zaccai G. Dowty, Elijah R. Keim; a sister, Sister Anne W. Kniphuisen, RDC of Mount Vernon, N.Y., brother-in-law Jerrold L. Duink (Marie) of New Hartford, N.Y., sister-in-law, Anita R. Kniphuisen of Tucson, AZ.; and many nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Clayton; a daughter, Elaine D. Caflisch;  brother, Raymond Kniphuisen; sisters-in-law, Audrey M. Hutton and Shirley Duink; brothers-in-law, Andrew Hutton and Earl L. Duink; and niece, Mary Lou Hutton Morvay.

A celebration of life will be held on Aug. 12, at 10:30 a.m. at the Clymer United Methodist Church, 565 Clymer-Sherman Road, Clymer, N.Y. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Clymer Fire Department, P.O. Box 31, Clymer, N.Y., the Clymer French-Creek Free Library, P.O. Box 68, Clymer, N.Y., or the Clymer United Methodist Church, Clymer, N.Y.

Arrangements are by Dodds Funeral Home, Carrollton, Ohio and David J. Dengler, Spitzer Funeral Home, Clymer, N.Y.