Russell “Duff” Duffner, 78, of Mills River, N.C., passed away on Sept. 18, 2018. He was born in Milwaukee in 1940 to the late Roy and Cleo Martin Duffner. He earned his B.A. degree at Luther College and his MEA at InterAmerican University. For 21 years he served in the U.S. Air Force as a B-52 Pilot, receiving the Fairchild Trophy and DFC for his service in Vietnam. He had retired from the State ABC Store in Fletcher. Duff was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and Retired Officers Association, among other community organizations.

Up until his death, he was up for anything - travel, adventure, and his love of sports and golf. He never met a stranger and had a "gift" of gab. He retired to his dream of a "home with a view" in the mountains of N.C.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Rorry; grandson Ryan "PeeWee;" and brother Lee.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Bonnie Block Duffner ‘63; daughter, Michelle (Paul) Huff; grandsons, Lindsey "Bubba" Huff, Mitchell "Chop" Huff, Kyle "Stinky" Duffner, and Kaleb "Stanky" Lamphier; great granddaughter Kinsley "Cutie" Duffner; sister-in-law Barbara (Dick) Schultz; four nieces and one nephew.

A Celebration of Life followed Military Honors on Nov. 3, 2018, at St. Paul's Mountain Vineyards, 588 Chestnut Gap Road, Hendersonville, NC 28792.

Memorial donations may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 497, East Flat Rock, NC 28726, or Veterans Healing Farm, 19 Mahshie Lane, Hendersonville, NC 28739.

Moore Funeral Home at Forest Lawn assisted the family. Please visit www.moorefh.net to sign the online guest book.