Dwight Edward Duke, 91, Jefferson City, passed away Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Jefferson City.
He was born Jan. 14, 1935, son to Russell Blaine and Mary Margene (Deck) Duke in Sugar Grove, Ohio.
Following graduation from high school, he attended Wilmington College. Dwight later earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Park College after retiring from the Air Force.
He was united in marriage to Norma Kathleen Shoop on Dec. 4, 1960.
Dwight served his country for 29 years in the U. S. Air Force. At the time of his honorable discharge, he held the rank of Senior Master Sergeant.
Following his last assignment at Whiteman Air Force Base, he and Norma continued to live in Knob Noster and he worked for Western Missouri Medical Center in Warrensburg as a Certified Nursing Aid. In 2015, they moved to Jefferson City.
Dwight liked to play the piano, read, tinker on cars with his son, go camping and watch the Kansas City Chiefs. He was a man of great organizational skills. Above all else, he loved spending time with his family especially his grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by parents, by Russell and Mary; sister, Marilyn Sullivan and husband Bob; and brother, Donn Duke and wife Lorene.
Dwight is survived by wife, Norma of Jefferson City; daughter, Michelle Ford and husband Jason of Jefferson City; son, Michael Duke and wife Abigail of Linn; grandchildren, Andrew Ford, Katherine Gutierriez and husband Steven and Blaine and Eller Duke; and great-grandchild, Jerome “Romey” Gutierriez.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Feb. 17, at Trimble Funeral Homes in Jefferson City, with Pastor Chris Thomson officiating.
Interment was at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Jacksonville, (today) Wednesday, Feb.18.
Memorial contributions suggested to the American Heart Association.
Arrangements entrusted to Trimble Funeral Homes – Jefferson City. trimblefunerals.com
