Obituary of Edward Lee Duke

Duke, Edward L. "Lee" Quanicassee, Michigan Edward Lee Duke (Lee), peacefully breathed his last breath at his home on Saturday, July 2, 2016. He was surrounded by his family and listening to the Bay City televised fireworks as Toby Keith's "Red White and Blue" played. He was 88 years young. Lee was born in Lancaster, Ohio on October 25, 1927, to Chester and Rozella (Raybourn) Duke; they preceded him in death. He married Arlene M. Manke on August 4, 1951, at Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Essexville. Arlene survives him along with their children Karen (Timothy) Lowthian of Unionville, Brian (Lisa Kauppila) Duke of Fairborn Ohio, and David (Kelly Haines) Duke of Reese. He is survived by nine grandchildren, Erin & Emily Lowthian, Sara Lowthian-Hanna (Chris), Lauren, Braden, Alexander, and Sydnie Duke, and Tyler and Dylan Haines, and one great granddaughter Avaline Scarlett Hanna. He is also survived by brothers' in-law Clare Harrington and Wayne Manke, sister in-law Ruth Manke, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by an infant son James Brian Duke, three brothers, Kenneth, Paul (Alma), Richard (Agnes) Duke; two sisters, Twila (George) Woods, and Dorothy Harrington, in-laws Guy and Amelia (Baker) Manke, two sisters' in-law Dorothy (Pat) Johnson and Carol Manke, and one brother in-law Guy Manke. Lee left high school in 1943 to join the Merchant Marines, followed by service in the US Navy where he attained the rank of Seaman 1st Class. Upon honorable discharge, he returned and graduated from Akron High School in 1947. As a young man he worked in the oil fields and retired from Jennison Hardware in Bay City. He served his community as the Wisner Township Supervisor, Assessor, and as a trustee. Lee and Arlene owned and operated Lee's City Dairy in Quanicassee for 15 years. Lee loved his county and very actively served the Fairgrove Veteran of Foreign Wars' Post 7486, where he was a life member, as Commander and Quartermaster, and served on the All-State Commander's Team from 1999-2000. Lee loved breakfast and ate at the Euclid Avenue Big Boy almost every morning, where the staff and patrons became his second family. He was a member of Pilgrim Lutheran Church, he hunted, fished, and bowled, and watched the Detroit Tigers and NASCAR. The family will receive friends at Pilgrim Lutheran Church's community room (1705 Nebobish Ave, Essexville) on Sunday, July 10, 2016, from 4 PM to 8 PM. A memorial service will take place at the church on Monday, July 11, 2016, at 10:00 AM officiated by Rev. Erwin M. Hutter. A breakfast, Lee's favorite meal, will follow. Memorials may be made to the VFW National Home for Children, the Edward Lee Duke Memorial Fund (intended for the Tuscola County Vanderbilt Park planned improvements), or to the donor's choice. Arrangements by Cremation Society of Mid-Michigan, 1-888-273-3553. To sign online guestbook visit www.cremationsocietymidmi.com.