John Russell Duncan, born June 9, 1938, passed away on September 12, 2026. He grew up the second of four children in Gary, Indiana. He is pre-deceased by his parents, Dr. John S. and Eva (Shannon) Duncan, his older sister, Carole (Donald) Moore, brother-in-law, Donald Moore, brother, Dr. David Duncan, and brother-in-law, Denis Brown. He is survived by his wife, Cleo (Raptakis) Duncan, daughters Elizabeth (Kyle) Rich, Victoria (Troy) Gardner, and Mary Duncan Stein, his grandchildren, Ellen Gardner, Alexander Rich, Lauren Gardner, Duncan Gardner, Eva Stein, and Casey Stein, his younger sister, Deanna Brown, and sister-in-law Carmella (David) Duncan, as well as many nieces and nephews.
John graduated from Horace Mann High School in 1956 in Gary, Indiana, followed by Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, Illinois, in 1960, where he played football, earning his bachelor’s degree in biology. After graduating from college, he served in the United States Army. He went on to earn a master’s degree in education from Purdue University. He taught biology at Tolleston Junior High School in Gary, Indiana, and it was in Gary that he was smitten by a beautiful Greek girl, Cleo, who he married in 1966.
John and Cleo moved their family to Greensburg, Indiana, in 1970, and never gave up believing the Cubs would one day win the World Series. John and Cleo recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary, but celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at a Cubs game in 2016 and even had their names on the Wrigley Field scoreboard—the same year the Cubs won the World Series. John was also an avid Colts fan and held season tickets for many years. He was also a gardening enthusiast with an uncanny ability to keep plants alive, sharing his love of gardening with his children and grandchildren. John visited all 48 continental United States. It was important to him that his children were able to see as much of America as possible as a family.
John was the Vice Principal, Athletic Director, and eventually, the Principal at South Decatur Junior-Senior High School and was the principal of South Decatur when the football team won the Indiana State Football Finals in 1990. He was also a proponent of the Academic Team, recognizing both the athletic and academic teams with pep rallies.
Upon his retirement in 1997, he was awarded a House of Representatives Resolution and a special award from State School Superintendent Sue Ellen Reed-Goddard, recognizing his years of service and commitment to education of young people.
John was active in Tree County Players and appeared in various productions over the years, including ‘Oklahoma,’ where he and his daughter played father and daughter onstage, Big Julie in ‘Guys and Dolls,’ and Roosevelt’s assistant in ‘Annie.’ A voracious reader, John served on the Greensburg Public Library Board, and many books have been donated to the library in his honor. He was also a longtime member of the First Christian Church.
Though many perceived him having a tough exterior, he was a complete softy—a teddy bear who loved his wife and three daughters, a man who walked his daughters down three aisles into marriage and every time gave a part of himself away. For a man with a tough exterior, this was no small task.
John, often mistaken by strangers as a Harrison Ford lookalike (wink, wink), was a devoted husband, father, educator, and friend to many. He will be loved and missed by those who knew him, his impeccable sense of humor, and commitment to education and helping others.
There will be a celebration of life on Sunday, October 11 from 2-6 pm at the Greensburg Country Club. The Duncan family invites everyone who knew John to come and toast The Duke.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to the Greensburg Decatur County Public Library.
