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Funeral: 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home
Interment: Cisne Cemetery
Visitation: 9:30 until 11 a.m. on Saturday at the funeral home
Margaret Duke entered heaven on Monday February 19, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Margaret and her twin sister Margie were born March 21, 1926, in Flora, Illinois to John Henry and Bertie Hord Mitchell.
Margaret was a graduate of Flora High School. She married Ellsworth Duke on December 11, 1944, in Henderson, Kentucky, before he entered World War II. Margaret and Ellsworth were reunited after the end of World War II and made their first home in Cisne, IL. During this time, Margaret had three children, Mike, Pat, and Jill.
In the 1960s, Margaret became a business owner. She and her sisters Bonnie and Maye successfully ran several women’s stores in Flora, Olney, Cisne, and Ramsey. Following her sisters’ retirement, she established Margaret’s Bridal in Olney.
When she retired from her bridal business, she enjoyed many years of snow birding in Bonita Springs, Fla. In order to spend more time with her grandson Patrick, she and Ellsworth moved back to Flora where she made many wonderful friends.
Margaret had a passion for dancing, playing cards, hosting yard sales, gathering her family, spending time with her grandchildren and serving others. She had many friends and was well loved by many people.
Margaret was preceded in death by her loving husband, her sons Mike and Pat, her grandson Clint, her mother and father, sisters Bonnie Wieldt, Maye Hemphill, Virginia Willis, and brothers Robert and Harold Mitchell.
She is survived by her twin sister Margie Yingst of Flora, her daughter Jill (Jerry) Harrell of Olney, daughter-in-law Glenda Duke of Flora, and daughter in-law Nikki Duke of Fort Worth, Tex. She is also survived by 7 grandchildren: Cole (Kristen) Duke of Flora, Rebecca (James) Bishir of Kokomo, Ind., Meghan (Cameron) Cushman of Fort Worth, Tex., Collin (Kaci) Duke of Santa Monica, Calif., Patrick Duke of Denton, Tex., Tyler (Callie) Harrell of Westfield, Ind., and Kellie (Travis) Arnold of Alexandria, Ky. Margaret is further survived by 13 great-grandchildren of whom she was very proud.
A funeral ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora. Interment will follow in Cisne Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 9:30 until 11 a.m. on Saturday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to First Christian Church Youth Fund or Fur a Good Paws, and these will be accepted through the funeral home. To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com
Aug 29, 1936 - Dec 21, 2024
Jul 16, 1935 - Dec 18, 2024
Jan 27, 1930 - Dec 17, 2024
Dec 25, 1988 - Dec 14, 2024
Jun 5, 1937 - Dec 5, 2024
We are sorry to hear of Margaret’s passing. What an amazing woman! Jill and family - you’re in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Our condolences to Nikki and Glenda and their families. Heaven gained another angel in Margaret.❣️
sorry for your loss for sure i got to know them very well all of them back in the mid 70>s.when dad owen a gas staion .very good with people and helping others for sure.just seem like yesterday when i was changing oil in pats corvete how time flys
So Sorry for your Loss! She was a Sweet Lady and I live by Margie her twin sister and I would see Margaret when she would come down to visit Margie and she always had a kind word to say and a Smile to give! She will be Missed by many. Prayers for the Family!!!
Forever is my heart..Margaret and Margie were life long friends of my mother..south enders. Much love and peace to your families...loved Margaret...
Margaret was such a sweet lady. So sorry for your family's loss.
What a lovely lady! Her lovely greetings and smiles will be missed.
So sorry for your loss.
Rest In Peace my beautiful friend you will be missed ❤️
Remembering your family in prayer. What a special lady! Her clothing stores were definite go-to's for my mother, sister and I. You could always count on a wonderful hello and smile from Margaret who took a special interest in her customers. Hold to your special memories!
Jill, sorry for the loss of your lovely mother, she was a friend of my mom, didnt know thst while were working together! I remember fondly of that time!
I’m so so sorry Jill ( you probably don’t remember me) So many child hood memories from your family.🙏🙏🙏
Farewell Dear Friend. I will miss our visits. Thanks for loving & caring for my mom & dad. You were my second mom & I gained so much faith of God through your love.
So sorry for your loss Margaret was a great person, and will be missed by many. Thoughts and prayers for the family.
Margaret was a wonderful person who loved God and her family. We will miss her very much.
Margaret was the most Energetic Lady that I ever worked with. She could sell clothing to ever person that walked in that door!!! The customers LOVED her. I worked with her at Margaret's and Margaret's Bridal in Olney and enjoyed every minute of it! We all loved it when she would come rolling in with a van load of NEW clothing at the back door!!! Such a "SWEET LADY" will be missed by so many. We will be thinking of the family in the days ahead.
So sorry to hear the loss of a wonderful women. Forever friend to my mom and dad. Margaret named me when I entered this world. I will always love and remember her. Loved her laughter. Our prayers are with her family during this difficult time
So sorry for your loss her twin sister was my aunt when my mother passed away when I was 6 years old with cancer Margaret bought me and my three sisters clothes for our mother's funeral she has Aunt Margie out with us I've seen her through the years with Aunt Margie and she was a very sweet lady may God wrap his arms around you as you go through your grieving process
Condolences and prayers to the family. Margaret was a wonderful kind and compassionate lady. So glad we got to help celebrate her and Margie’s birthdays with them last year.
My deepest condolences to you Glenda. She was such a beautiful person. Wishing you peace during this difficult time.
Our Thoughts & Prayers are with the family! Such a sweet lady!
I’m sad to learn of Margaret’s passing. I remember her well as I bought (way too many, in my Dad’s opinion) clothes from her in the 1960s. All these years later, I still remember the layout of the store that she and her sister Bonnie ran so well.
Sorry for your loss of Margaret for family and friends. Margaret was a positive influence, and I will miss her. Margaret is in Heaven with her husband, children and grandson. Prayers for Margaret's family and friends.
So sorry for your loss. Heaven gained an Angel. Margaret was an inspiration to many and will be missed by all. Loved playing Pinochle with her, we will miss her smiling face and her love of life. Prayers of comfort for all the family and friends.
So sorry. To hear of Margaret passing W e loved hete
I am so sorry to hear about her passing away. She was always a sweet and kind woman. May the Lotds blessings be upon her family at this time. Grateful for the good family that she has raised.
Sorry for your loss, Cole and family
Lovely lady.
So sorry for your lost. Prayers for all of you.
She was such a great friend to my mom. Loved visiting with her throughout my life.
Prayers for all of you during this difficult time. I remember purchasing my beautiful wedding dress from Margaret like it was yesterday! She had such a lovely, bubbly, lively personality!
I bought the bridal shop from Margaret back in the late 80’s after working for her for a few years. She was a great inspiration and business role model for me. We all loved her ability to sell ice water to an Eskimo!
So sorry for your loss!
Margaret leaves behind a legacy of producing a fine and respected family in our community. She will be missed.
She was a special lady! She could sell anything! Nothing slowed her down! She once walked me around the yard to show me her plants and flowers. She sure will be missed
I am so sorry. I have known Margaret most of my life. We went through all 12 years of school together and have kept in touch all through the years. In school I was known as Mary Beth Reed. My prayers for comfort and peace go with Margie, Jill and loved ones. Margaret will be missed by all who who knew her.
I am so sorry for your loss. Margaret was an amazing woman. There was never any question about how much she loved her family. Hold on to those many precious memories. Prayers to you Jill and your family.
I am so sorry for not hearing about Margaret's passing until Sunday at church!! I loved Margaret so much!! We always stopped to talk about everyone. Mostly about Patrick!!! It is truly a celebration in heaven since she arrived!!
Frank & Bright Funeral Home
and Cremation Services
500 North Main Street
Flora, Illinois 62839
Phone : (618) 662-2141
Fax: (618) 662-4600
Email: [email protected]
