Karen M. Duling

Karen M. (Hering) Duling, 69, of Monrovia, left this world unexpectedly on Saturday, September 13, 2025, while in the Emergency Department in St Francis, Mooresville, and surrounded by her loving family. She was born on January 18, 1956, in Washington D.C. to the late Eugene John and Jane Alice (Haussin) Hering. One of three children and the only girl, the family grew up in Plainfield. Raised strictly Catholic, Karen attended St. Susanna as a child, and later proudly graduated from Cardinal Ritter with the class of 1974. Introduced to the man she would fall deeply in love with on a double date with friends right out of high school, she was joyously united in marriage to Bob Duling on October 5, 1974, at the Plainfield Christian Church. The perfectly paired newlyweds began their journey, bringing three wonderful daughters into the world and settled in the quiet small-town life of Monrovia in 1978. Karen devoted 27 years working at Marsh as a cashier, along with working at the old Crystal Flash in Mooresville. A tight knit group who submersed themselves in nature, Karen and her crew found solace in camping at several local state parks, including Patoka Lake, Cataract, Racoon Lake, and even survived a tornado at the Mississinewa Campground. They spent the summers fishing, frog gigging, and mushroom hunting. Every May, Karen, her mom, and oldest daughter rented a cabin at McCormick’s Creek picking wildflowers, and bird watching. She especially loved hummingbirds! While the three of them assumed it was their time together, it never failed that the rest of the family would come to join them for a few days. The best thing that ever happened to Bob, the two were soulmates from the beginning, never losing sight of the deep connection between them. Karen was an outstanding mother who was caring, supportive, loved unconditionally, and forgiving by nature. Known to be spunky and goofy at times, her memory will live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know and love her. Along with her parents, Karen was preceded in death by her brother, Mark Hering. She leaves behind her husband of 50 years, James Robert “Bob” Duling of Monrovia; daughters, Amy Clark (Chad) of Monrovia, Teri Duling (Carl Schlueter) of Indianapolis, and Kristie Polson (David) of Plainfield; brother, Jimmy Hering (Kelly) of Plainfield; grandchildren, Austin Clark (Emili McGuyre) of Monrovia, Katie Clark of Monrovia, TJ Clark of Monrovia, Jaclyn Brenneman (Jake) of Indianapolis, Madlyn Perry (Kevin Leon) of Indianapolis, Brennan Polson of Plainfield, and Bradey Polson of Plainfield; and great grandson, Rocky. Funeral and Cremation Arrangements have been entrusted to Light Memorial & Funeral Chapel in Monrovia. Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 18, 2025, from 5:00pm until a Celebration of Life Service that will start promptly at 7:00pm, Pastor Steve Ranson will officiate, and cremation will follow services. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association by clicking https://www.mda.org/ or by mail to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Inc., P.O. Box 7410354, Chicago, Illinois 606074-0354. Karen will be inurned at Maple Hill Cemetery in the future. To share a favorite story, send an online condolence to the family, or light a candle in her memory, please visit her tribute page at www.lightmemorial.com.

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Karen M. Duling

January 18, 1956 - September 13, 2025