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Charles Henri Duke

Charles Henri Duke, 94, of Williamstown, fell asleep in death at his home on Monday, Oct 17, 2016, with his family by his side.

He is survived by his daughters, Lois “Betsy” Duke and Mary (Tim) Goode of Williamstown; six grandchildren, Debbie Reid, Matthew Reid, Laurel (Elion) Hernandez, Rachel (Ben) Piper, Chad Goode and Jordan Goode; and three great-grandchildren, Zoe, Isabella and Jamin Cassidy.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Leona, on July 20, 2013; his daughter, Charlee (Bob) Reid; and grandson, Daniel Reid.

He was born on Feb. 7, 1922, near Williamstown, W.Va., son of Herman F. and Kathleen Henrie Duke.

In 1939 he graduated from Williamstown High School where he met and later married his high school sweetheart, Leona Telka Means. Married on Sept.10, 1942, their 71-year marriage, characterized by deep love, loyalty, humor and respect, was an inspiration to all who loved them.

Charles was the last member of a family that had been in the timber business since 1913. With teams of horses, they had logged, and rafted logs on the Ohio, Kanawha and Hocking rivers. Their lumber was used in area homes, businesses, waterways and railroad systems and even shipped to London, England, for use in glass polishing wheels. He later worked for his friends, Norm and Jack Haessly on their mill near Newport, Ohio.

He was a member of the Marietta and Parkersburg Congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses. As an avid student of the Bible, his lifelong prayer was for the approaching time in fulfillment of Dan 2:44, Isa 9:6,7 and Rev 21:3,4 when Jehovah God’s Kingdom with His Son Jesus Christ as King would begin its rule here on earth so that peace and happiness among obedient mankind will prevail earthwide and families will be reunited with their loved ones in the resurrection.

Memorial service will be 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct 30, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses on College Parkway, Parkersburg, with Tony Phoenix officiating.

McClure-Schafer-Lankford Funeral Home is assisting the family and messages of sympathy may be sent at www.Lankfordfh.com

The family also wishes to express their heartfelt thanks for the kindly services of Amedisys Hospice Care.