Duane M. Naftzger was born in York Township and was a lifelong Medina County resident. He was a 1938 graduate of York High School and member of Emmanuel United Church of Christ, Valley City, and the Valley City Chamber of Commerce for many years. Duane helped start the Valley City Youth League in 1957. He was an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, since 1948. Duane was a past commander of Medina Post 5137 and past commander of VFW County Council in 1964-65. He was past quartermaster of Valley City VFW 5563 and served in the U.S. Army from January 1943 to January 1946.

Duane started the Valley News, a local Liverpool newspaper in 1956. His last writing column was in the Medina Town Square Post — Duane’s World — for six years. Duane operated his own insurance company in Valley City, Naftzger Ins., until 1962. Then he changed professions and sold cars from 1962 until he retired in 1986.

Since his retirement, he enjoyed flea markets, studying history, writing and collecting frogs.

His interest in frogs dates back to the summer of 1962, when he and Andy Neff co-chaired the sesquicentennial committee to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the founding of Liverpool Township. Duane and Andy and Jay Reynolds were the ones who began the Valley City Frog Jump, held annually since 1962.

The three of them developed quite a publicity program. They each assumed a character: Duane was the Old Prospector. It helped the Frog Jump to become the great tradition that it is, and established Valley City as Frog Jump Capital of Ohio.

Duane passed away on May 12, 2000. We miss him, but are grateful for his may contributions to Valley City.

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