E. Kenneth Dukes

AIKEN - Ernest Kenneth Dukes, born September 5, 1926, went to be with His Lord and Savior on the morning of November 7, 2010. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Vera Ballentine Dukes, sisters, Phyllis DeLoach (Blythwood, SC), LouIrvin Church (Leesville,SC); 5 children: Kenneth Michael Dukes, Aiken; Deborah Dukes (David) Wallace, Aiken; Cheryl Dukes McGee, Aiken; Jeffery Miram (Debbie) Dukes, Aiken; Cynthia Susan Darr, New Ellenton; 9 grandchildren: Ryan Dukes, Beech Island; Amanda (James) Whittle, Aiken; Brandi (Chad) Polatty, Warrenville; Chris (Keri) McGee, Aiken; Jeffrey (Liz) Dukes, Rock Hill, SC; Zac Buckner, Aiken; Evan Darr, North Augusta, Adrianne Darr, North Augusta, Elaina Darr, North Augusta. Also 5 Great grandchildren: Nathan, Aaron & Sarah Whittle, Aiken, and Noah and Jonah Polatty, Warrenville. Mr. Dukes was predeceased by his grandson, Kenneth Jason Dukes, Aiken and by his parents, Abram Irvin and Maggie Ziegler Dukes, Leesville, SC. Mr. Dukes was a member of Millbrook Baptist Church; was a World War II Veteran; taught briefly at USC-A; and was retired from E.I.Dupont. He was a graduate from the University of SC with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. He enjoyed spending time with his family and playing the drums his band, The Ken Dukes Band. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation (8085 Saltsburg Road, Suite 201, Pittsburgh, PA 15239 – www.umdf.org) or to any charity of your choice. Funeral services will be held in the Shellhouse-Rivers Funeral Home Chapel on Wednesday, November 10, 2010, at 1pm with the Rev. Arthur Zawislak officiating. Entombment will follow in the Aiken Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. Pallbearers will be Ryan Dukes, Jeffery Dukes, Evan Darr, Zac Buckner, Chris McGee, Chad Polatty and James Whittle. Mr. Dukes online guest book may be signed at www.shellhouseriversfuneralhome.com The family will receive friends from 6-8 PM Tuesday evening at SHELLHOUSE-RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, INC., 715 E. PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of E. Kenneth Dukes, please visit our flower store.