Charles 'Charlie' W. Dukes

Charles W. Dukes, 98, of Georgetown passed away at10:25am, Tuesday, June 15, 2021, at VA Illiana Healthcare System, Danville. He was born on March 30, 1923, to Russell and Florence {Taylor} Dukes. Charlie enlisted in the Army in 1942. He was wounded and captured on Thanksgiving Day in 1944. After his discharge from the Army on December 14, 1945, he finished college and married his college sweetheart and loving and faithful wife of 71 years, Grace Marie Schwab, she survives. Together they had four children, Debra (David) Small of Bloomington, Laurie Holman of St. Joseph, Kent (Melinda) Dukes of Georgetown, & Robin (Diane) Dukes of Georgetown, as well as 8 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Charlie retired from being a banker and other self-employed ventures. He then spent his time carrying the message to students in our school as a living link to history. Charlie emphasized freedom and self-discipline. He cautioned young people to guard their freedom. Charlie was a lifetime member of the American Legion Dornblaser Post #203 in Georgetown and he helped to establish the Memorial Honor roll located on the square in Georgetown. He loved to go camping in his younger years. Charlie wrote a book called Good Morning (But the Nightmares Never End) in 1997 and it was published. It is a tell-all about his experience of being a POW in Germany and is planned to be made into a movie in the future. Charlie is a true American Hero! A celebration of Charlies life will be held at 2:00pm, Sunday, June 20, 2021, at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Georgetown, Illinois 200 E. West St. Georgetown, Illinois 61846, with Jim Hollingsworth officiating. Visitation will be held from 10:00am to 2:00pm on Sunday prior to his service at the funeral home. He will be laid to rest at Forest Park Cemetery, Georgetown, with Military Honors conducted by the American Legion Dornblaser Post #203. Memorial donations may be given in his name to American Legion Dornblaser Post #203. Please join his family in sharing memories through his Tribute Wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.