OWENSBORO, Ky. — Wendell Lee Duke, 76, of Owensboro, died June 8, 2017, at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital. He was born Nov. 4, 1940, in Ohio County, Ky., to the late Audie and Nora Duke.
He retired as a crane operator for Commonwealth Aluminum. He enjoyed cars, travelling, gardening, and cooking and was known for his fudge. He loved life and helping people.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Nelda Purcell.
He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Linda Pittman Duke; his children, Wendell Lee Duke Jr. “Bubby” (Lisa), Carrie Clark (Jeff), Todd Duke (Mindy) and Sabrina Lee (Thomas); stepchildren, Lisa Mattingly, Tim Mattingly, and Todd Mattingly; 11 grandchildren, Ashley Duke, Amber Duke, Cameron Duke, Nikki Boehman, Tina Boehman, Bridget Rieger, Brandon Clark, Casey Duke, Chris Lee, Andy Lee and Mia Lee; two great-grandchildren, Berkley and Ansley; six stepgrandchildren, Savannah Carr, Justin Stone, Zach Mattingly, Tyler Mattingly, Alise Webb, and Nick Mattingly; four stepgreat-grandchildren; two sisters, Betty Midkiff and Peggy Carlock (Bill); and several nieces and nephews.
Services are private. James H. Davis Funeral Home & Crematory in Owensboro is in charge of arrangements.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 15120, Chicago, IL 60693.