Dennis Denny Charles Dukes

Dennis was born October 23, 1946 to Charles R. Dukes and Carolyn E. (Hering) Dukes. He lived the first 18 years of life in the small, idyllic, agricultural community of Browns, Illinois where he also attended the prestigious Browns Grade School. While a student at Browns Grade School, he participated in various unorganized sports, and was proud to be a “Browns Brownie” in basketball, playing in the gymnasium that his father and grandfather had helped build.

Dennis was preceded in death by his mother and father.

During Dennis’ junior year of high school at Edwards County High School in Albion, Illinois, he was fortunate enough to work up the courage to ask a pretty dark-haired, popular, new-girl-in-school on a date. That date led to a prom, many more dates, and eventually marriage to his high school sweetheart – Sharon Elaine Hedrick.

Dennis is survived by his wife of 48 years, Sharon Dukes. He is also survived by his son, Jason and wife, Teresa, and daughters Kara and Emma; son, Ryan and wife, Jaclyn, and sons Nolan and Grady. Every Grandchild was his favorite! Also surviving Dennis is his sister Carol Stone, one niece, Cassandra Hull, and two nephews, Michael Smith and Daniel Smith.

After graduation from Edwards County High School and two years of college, Dennis joined the United States Air Force during the Vietnam Conflict in 1967. He served four years that included tours in Texas, Okinawa, and Maryland. Dennis was honorably discharged from the service with the rank of Staff Sergeant at Fort Meade, Maryland after a final 18 month duty assignment at the National Security Agency.

Dennis had a 39 year career in the propane gas industry, working for four major companies along the way: Petrolane, Suburban, Skelgas, and Cornerstone Propane. Dennis decided to retire from the propane business in 2012 after working seven years for a small independent company in Texas. His early days with Petrolane, Inc. were his most memorable and he continued to stay in touch with several friends from those Petrolane days. His extensive travels, while in the propane business, took him all over the United States and allowed him to meet, work with, and train many special people.

Dennis enjoyed travel with his wife, Sharon, and spending time with family. He also enjoyed gardening, woodworking, and most things antique, but he enjoyed most of all playing and being foolish with his grandchildren. He was proud to answer to the name of “Poppy” to his grandchildren and the words “Poppy, come play with me” was music to his ears.

A Celebration of Life Service for Dennis will be held at Ingram Funeral Home of Albion, Illinois on Saturday, April 18, 2015 at 3:00 PM with Military Rites at the funeral home following the service. Visitation will be from 1:00PM until service time at the funeral home. His cremated remains will be interred in Browns Cemetery at a later date. Memorials may be made to The American Cancer Society or Great Lakes Caring Hospice. Envelopes will be provided at the funeral home.