Edward Duke 1936-2025

Ed was born March 12, 1936, in Lilly, Pa., to Steve and Elizabeth Duke. He had a simple childhood where he developed skills and hobbies that followed him throughout his life.

His early stages of woodworking and fixing problems were just developing as he and his brothers built the house and garage, which still stand today.

Ed graduated from Lilly-Washington (Pa.) High School in May 1954. Soon after graduation, he married Anne Stevens, his wife of 57 years until her passing in 2015.

Ed enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he specialized in working on nuclear weapons while living in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

After his service, Ed joined General Motors in Lordstown, where he would work in welding maintenance for his entire career.

Initially, Ed and Anne lived in Eastlake, where he was the proud father of two children before settling down in Canfield in 1972, where he would eventually build another garage for the new home.

Ed was a devout member of St. Christine Parish, which is where he began a new chapter in love with Dottie, whom he married in 2017. Their marriage was one of laughter and love — the happiness of their life was contagious to all who knew them.

Family meant everything to Ed, and he enjoyed life to the fullest with Dottie as well as spending time with his children, grandchildren and extended family.

His hobbies focused on woodworking, where he perfected the skill over decades of projects, ranging from bedroom furniture for his children to model train sets, and ultimately the art of turning bowls. He created so many unique pieces of art which expanded to include such customizations as electric burning, branding and resin applications. Not only did Ed gift bowls to most people that he knew, he also donated countless bowls to “Beads of Courage” for Akron Children’s Hospital.

Ed is survived by his wife, Dorothy Duke; daughter, Denise (Jack) Harlan of Canfield; son, Douglas (Paige) Duke of West Palm Beach, Florida; brother, Gerald (Lillian) Duke; and grandchildren, Lauren and Amber Duke. He is also survived by Dorothy’s children, Bob Hlinka of Canfield and Denise (Chris) Burns of Fredonia, Pa.

Besides his parents, Ed was preceded in death by his wife, Anne Stevens Duke, and brother, Charles Duke.

Calling hours will be 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, at Vaschak-Kirila Funeral Home, 3100 Canfield Road, Youngstown.

There will be visitation 10 to 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 15, 2025, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Christine Roman Catholic Church, 3165 S Schenley Ave., Youngstown.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ed’s favorite nonprofit organization of fellow woodworkers. Donations may be made by check to Buckeye Woodworkers & Woodturners, 4546 Turnberry Trail, Stow, OH 44224 or via Zelle, using the receiving account name: BWWT-1992, in memory of Edward Duke.

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