John Arthur Dukeman

ARTHUR - John Arthur Dukeman, 77, of Arthur, died at 1:35 PM Wednesday, May 4, 2011. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM Saturday, May 7, 2011 at the Arthur United Methodist Church with Rev. Leroy Allison officiating. Burial will follow in the Arthur Cemetery with military rites. Visitation will be held 5:00-8:00 PM Friday at Shrader Funeral Home, 431 S. Vine Street, Arthur. John was born May 15, 1933 in Cadwell, the son of Harry A. and Anna I. Sexton Dukeman. He was united in marriage to D. Ellen Riley on December 9, 1953. Survivors include his wife, Ellen Dukeman of Arthur; 2 sons, Van (Patti) Dukeman of Mahomet; Todd (Anita) Dukeman of Arthur; four grandchildren, Paige, Grant, Wes, and Alanna; brother, Buddy Dukeman of Greenup; 2 sisters, Mary Ann Hillyard and Maudine Barkley both of Arthur. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, James Dukeman. John worked from 1958-1998 at the State Bank of Arthur. He served on the bank's board of directors for nearly 50 years, and as President and CEO of the bank from 1996-1998. John worked in all of the departments of the bank. John graduated from Arthur High School in 1951. He was a very good athlete, competing in basketball and track, where he held the Arthur High School mile run record for 20 years. He served in the U.S. Army from 1953-1956 where he was a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Following his military service, John enrolled in Austin Peay University, graduating with a Bachelors degree in Business Administration in 1958. He was the first person in his family to earn a college degree. He also graduated from the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers University in 1972. John was very passionate about the Arthur community. He even had the town's zip code on his license plates! His involvements included: Arthur School Board, Moultrie-Douglas Cooperative Extension Foundation, Lakeland College Foundation, Chairman of the Administrative Board at the Arthur United Methodist Church, President of the Kaskaskia Country Club, President of the Arthur Rotary Club (Paul Harris Fellow), and President of the Arthur Chamber of Commerce. John also loved sports and really enjoyed following his children and grandchildren with their sports and extra-curricular activities. He was very proud of their accomplishments. He also loved his Dodgers, Celtics, and Bears. Memorials are suggested to the Arthur United Methodist Church, 128 E. Illinois Street, Arthur, IL 61911 or the John E. Timm Trust, c/o State Bank of Arthur, Trustee, P.O. Box 375, Arthur, IL 61911. Obituary written by family members. Online guest book at http://legacy.com/obituaries/herald-review/