SSG Duke, Sr.

SSG Doyle Eli Duke, Sr., 87, passed away at his home on Monday, September 10, 2018. His family will be hosting a Celebration of Doyle’s Life at his home on Friday, September 14 at 1300 hours. They will be reuniting him with the love of his life, Sylvia at a Graveside Service featuring Military Honors on Saturday, September 15, 2018 at 1300 hours at Maple Grove/Oaklawn Cemetery (Three Miles from Green Lantern in Brainerd). In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

Doyle was born December 15, 1930, in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He graduated from high school and enlisted in the US Navy where he served for many years before joining the US Army Reserves. Doyle was a man that could do any work and he did, but most notably he held a position for more than 24 years as a machinist. In 1961, he married Sylvia Britton. They cherished the family they would create. Doyle was the kindest, most patient man. He not only made friends wherever he went; he made family. He was a gifted storyteller and shared many colorful jokes with his children that would sometimes get them in trouble at school when they repeated them. Music and dancing were part of his soul and listening to him sing could fill your own. Whether it was a rendition of his favorite song, “The Old Rugged Cross” or Doyle flirting his way into your heart with “If I Said You Had a Beautiful Body (Would You Hold It Against Me)” - when he sang, we listened.

His family was large and each of them will miss his presence in their life. He is survived by his children, Dennis (Mary) Duke, Janet Dunnam, Donald Duke, Debra (Leonard) Buchholz, Roxanne (Paul) Runke, Rhonda (Joe) Daml, Geri (Steve) Weitzel, Melinda (Lonny) Cook, Walter (Cindy) Duke, Mycal (Kaitlin) Payne, Duane (Erica) Payne, and Jacob Wedebrand; and many, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sylvia; his children, Rebecca Krueger and Doyle Duke, Jr; and his parents.