Don Duke

Don B. Duke, age 89 of Youngstown, died Wednesday April 17, 2013 at the Niagara Hospice House in Lockport, after a long illness. Don was born November 10, 1923 in La Grainge, GA, the son of the late John A. and Erma (Barton) Duke. A World War II Veteran of the United State Coast Guard, he served from July 1943 to his honorable discharge in August 1945. Don worked for Kimberly Clark for 25 years before going to work at Nabisco Shredded Wheat in Niagara Falls as a Machine Operator. He worked there for 15 years retiring in 1989. He was an avid golfer at Hyde Park and was inducted into the Niagara Falls Old Timers Hall of Fame in 2001 for Golf. He had also played semi-pro football in his youth. Don attended St. John Lutheran Church in Youngstown. He is survived by his children, Lori (Timothy) Adamson of Youngstown, Donna (Chuck) Pleckham of Peopone, IL, Debbie (Wayne) Stoia of Arden, NC, and Melissa (Jason) Ruta of Youngstown; a brother, Edmund (Shirley) Duke of Niagara Falls, NY; a sister, Nancy (Richard) Shaffer of Florida; 8 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren; the mother of his children, Maurine Brown; and his dear friend, Fran Mollosky. He was predeceased by a brother, Carey Duke. Friends may call at HARDISON FUNERAL HOME, N. Fourth & Ridge Streets, Lewiston on Sunday from 4 - 7 pm. Funeral Services will be held Monday, April 22, at 11:00 am in St. John Lutheran Church, 420 Lockport Rd. Youngstown, with the Rev. Richard Blemaster officiating. (Please assemble at Church). Burial with Military Honors will follow in Oakland Rural Cemetery, Youngstown. In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to Niagara Hospice, 4675 Sunset Dr., Lockport, NY 14094.