Gene Ellington

GENE "DUKE" ELLINGTON, age 86, of Richmond, Indiana and formerly Eaton, Ohio, died Wednesday, January 17, 2007 at Reid Hospital in Richmond, Indiana. Born on January 16, 1921 in Rushville, Indiana he was the son of the late George William & Lillie Mae (Swim) Ellington. He was a 1939 graduate of Lewisville (Indiana) High School and a WWII U.S. Navy veteran. In 1946 he graduated from Earlham College in Richmond, with a Bachelor Degree in Social Studies and Physical Education and received his Master's Degree in Education and Administration in 1950 from Indiana University. In 1980 he retired from Eaton High School where he had been the principal from 1956 to 1980. From 1947 to 1956 he taught Social Studies and Physical Education at the high school and was the basketball and track coach. Prior to moving to Eaton in 1947 he had taught one year in Pennsylvania. He was a member of the Ohio Educators Association, the National and Ohio School Principal's Association and the Preble County Retired Teacher's Association. He was a member of the Eaton United Church of Christ. He was a Past President and member of the Eaton Lions Club from 1956 to 1979. In 2003 he was inducted into the Preble County Athletic Hall of Fame inaugural induction. In 2004 he was again inducted into the hall of fame for the Eaton Mile Relay teams for 1950, 1951 and 1952. In 2005 he was again inducted as the head coach of the 1947-1948 Eaton State basketball championship team and the 1949-1950 Eaton state basketball championship runner's up team. In 2003 he was inducted to the Earlham College Athletic Hall of Fame and served on the Southwest Ohio Athletic Board from 1972 to 1986.

In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by a daughter in 1955; sisters: Joyce Armstrong, Mamie Nibarger, Carolyn Horney, Iva Kendall and Lena Mettert and brothers: Fred and William Ellington.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years: Carolyn (Lukens) Ellington; sons and daughters-in-law: Stephen Scott (Judy) Ellington of Santa Monica, California and Mark B. (Renita) Ellington of Fort Wayne, Indiana; daughters and son-in-law: Linda E. (Michael) Hill of Cincinnati, Ohio and Lee Ann Ellington of Salt Lake City, Utah; Grandchildren: Jennifer(Phillip)Paino of Fort Wayne, Indiana , Caleb(Stacia)Ellington of Ft. Myers, Florida, Emily Hill of Cincinnati, Ohio and Elliot Kovnick of Salt Lake City, Utah and one great grandchild: Jathen Duke Ellington of Ft. Myers, Florida. Nieces and Nephews.

Funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, January 21, 2007 at the Eaton United Church of Christ- 113 West Decatur St.- Eaton, Ohio with Philip Johnson officiating. Family will receive friends on Sunday, January 21, 2007 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the church. There will be a reception held immediately following the service. Interment will be held at the convenience of the family with full military honors provided by the Preble County Honor Guard. Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 at the Friends Fellowship Community Room- 2030 Chester Blvd.- Richmond, Indiana. Arrangements entrusted to Barnes Funeral Home- 220 East Main Street - Eaton, Ohio.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Eaton Community Schools Education Fund-Duke Ellington Memorial Fund- 312 North Barron St.- Eaton, Ohio 45320. Condolences may be sent to the family via the Web site at www.barnesfuneralhome.com