Stephen F. Duke
Stephen F. Duke, 84, of Merrittstown, Pa., died Saturday, October 19, 2002, at home with his loving family by his side. He was born on July 21, 1918, in Grindstone, Pa., the son of the late Joseph S. and Mary Mizerak Duke.
Stephen was a 1936 graduate of Redstone High School and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Waynesburg College in 1952.
He was an Educator in the Uniontown Area School District for 29 years where he enjoyed teaching Spanish and Russian.
Stephen was a member of Holy Rosary Church and the American Legion Post 590 both in Republic, Pa. He was also a member of the PSEA and PSAR.
He was an avid gardener and enjoyed cooking for his family.
A Veteran of World War II, Stephen completed basic training at Camp Wolters, Texas, and was promoted to Technical Sergeant, 78th Military Government, United States Army.
From 1945 to 1947 he served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre as a member of the Military Government Team, Nagano, Honshu, Japan.
He was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal-Japan, and the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Medal.
Stephen is survived by his wife, Elizabeth “Betty” Budinsky Duke; six daughters: Deborah Johnson and husband Anthony, Elizabeth Hartman and husband Robert, Mary Claire Witek and husband Edward, Andrea Diehl and husband H. Richard, Deidre Sloss, and Diane Sloan and husband Gregg; 13 grandchildren: Anthony Johnson, Paul Johnson, Patrick Johnson, Jessica Hartman, Erin Witek, Matthew Witek, Stephen Witek, Anthony Erjavec IV and fiancee Amy Sitnick, Nicholas Erjavec, Amanda Diehl, Marc Sloss, Elizabeth Sloan and Anna Sloan; his beloved sister, Sister M. Bartholomew, V.S.C.; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Stephen was preceded in death by an infant son, David, brothers, Joseph, John, Michael, Andrew, and Lt. Paul Duke, and sisters, Mary Zeock and Helen Mikeo.
Friends will be received in the ROBERT T. KISH FUNERAL HOME INC., Legion Street, Republic, Pa., today from 7 to 9 p.m., Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., and Tuesday, October 22, until 9:30 a.m. when a Prayer Service will be held.
A Funeral Mass follows at 10 a.m. in Holy Rosary Church, Republic, with Rev. Fr. Stephen R. Bugay as Celebrant.
Interment will follow in LaFayette Memorial Park, Brier Hill Pa., where Military Rites will be accorded by Hopwood AMVETS Post 103.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Holy Rosary School, Republic, PA 15475 or the American Cancer Society.
A Parish Wake Service will be held on Monday at 2:30 p.m.