James H. Duke

MSG James H. Duke (Ret.)

James H Duke, age 93 of Highland, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 22, 2020. James was born on April 25, 1927 to parents Kirkland and Eula Duke in Empire, Alabama. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife of 52 years Helen Duke; daughter, Linda Madson; granddaughter, Katie Sitzes; brothers, Glen-Paul Duke, and Robert Duke.  James is survived by his sisters, Doris Nolan of Richmond, Indiana; Betty Gemmell and Bobbie (Frank) Taylor both of Cullman, Alabama; Thelma Tolbert of Lampasas, Texas, and brother Archie (Orene) Duke of Social Circle, Georgia; daughters, Cathy (Ed) Hadt of Union, South Carolina, and Kelli (Steve) Mack of Highland, Indiana; granddaughters, Jennifer Barandela, Nikki Black, and Natalie (Jason) Collins; grandsons, Jonathan, Christopher, and Steven (Amanda) Hadt, and James Mack; great-grandchildren, Kendall Barandela and Asher Collins.

Friends may visit with the family on Friday, September 25, 2020 at Hillside Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 8941 Kleinman Road (just south of Ridge Road) in Highland, Indiana, from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM.  A Funeral service will be held Saturday, September 26, 2020 at 10:00 AM directly at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 9009 Kennedy Avenue in Highland, Indiana; Reverend Eric Kleinschmidt officiating. James will lie in repose at the church from 9:15 AM until the time of service. Burial will be at Skyline Memorial Park in Monee, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the Redeemer Lutheran Church Improvement Fund.

James enlisted in the Army in 1946 and was stationed in Tokyo until his honorable discharge in October of 1947. He immediately joined the U.S. Army Reserves until he retired from service in 1987 as Master Sergeant.  James was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Highland, serving as Trustee and Elder for many years, serving with the Calumet Mission Society, and playing Dartball every Tuesday. Never one to slow down, he spent his retirement years “putzing” around in his garage building and “fixing” things.

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