Duane Flaherty

Duane Flaherty, 78, passed away at home with his family early in the morning of October 3, 2026. Duane was born September 13, 1948, the second child and only son to Thadd and Mary Flaherty, in Louisville, Kentucky. By the time he was nine, he was entirely comfortable with a guitar in his hand and a song in his heart that he’d memorized by singing and playing it over and over again until he had every last word in both the right place and the right chord.

He moved to Peru, Indiana with his mother and sisters when he was a teenager. After graduating from Peru High School, he was drafted into the US Army in 1969, where he was in the Corps of Engineers, serving14 months in Vietnam. He and Liz Shafer were married in May of 1971 and became the parents of three children and the grandparents of seven perfectly remarkable grandchildren (the actual Magnificent seven) and one great-grandson—possibly the only child of consequence born in July of 2026.

While his kids were in school, he was, as his daughter said when he admitted he was a terrible drywall mudder, a “very good fadder.” He filmed basketball and football games, lowering the camera and aiming it at the bleachers when he got excited.

He worked for Square D company (Schneider Electric) for 35 years, moonlighting for many of those years as a musician and songwriter. He continued to play after retirement, joining in the Logansport Library Round Robin and open mic with close friends at Gallery 15. He finished his very favorite pastime as the most senior member of the Three Old Guys.

There was very little he loved more than music and the friends he made in its making, although he was fond of keeping the rows straight as he mowed their three-acre yard. He thrived on memories, on dry humor, on every western movie filmed in the 20thcentury. He required his coffee to have the color and sweetness of caramel and he drank it by the quart.

He loved his family from the first until the very last and was loved in return. There are no words to explain how much he will be missed as Liz’s guy in the other recliner, Dad, Papaw, and the musician who wants everyone to practice, practice, practice.

Duane is survived by his wife of 55 years, Liz, son Chris (Tahne) Flaherty, Richmond, KY; daughter Kari (Jim) Wilson, Peru, IN; and Jock (Laura) Flaherty, Danville, IN. Also the grandkids, the Magnificent Seven: Mari (Charley) Gridley, Tierney (Jeff) Patton, Skyler Wilson, Shea Wilson, Connor Wilson, Fionnegan Flaherty, and Eamon Flaherty; and his great-grandson, Jeffrey Scott Patton III.

Also surviving are three sisters, Betty (Mark) Tyne, Church Hill, TN; Lynn (Roy) Lewis, Pace, FL, and Kay Weathington, Watertown, IN, as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his stepfather Ron Farrell, his sister Debbie Coleman, and his stepbrother Randy Farrell.

McClain Funeral has been entrusted with arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.mcclainfh.com. In lieu of flowers, Duane’s family requests that donations be directed to the North Miami Music Department.

A memorial gathering will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, October 8, from 2-6 pm.