Pauline J. (Stark) Duke, age 80, of Murphysboro, passed away at 1:46 p.m. Tuesday, July 31, 2018, in Marshall Browning Hospital, DuQuoin, Illinois.

Pauline was born on June 24, 1938, in Union County, Illinois, to Charlton Monroe Stark and Ethel Elizabeth (Hammer) Stark.

She had worked as a secretary for the following places Small Business Institute at SIU-Carbondale, University of Louisville Psychology, the New England Life Insurance, and the English Department at SIU-Carbondale.

Mrs. Duke was a member of Elm Street Baptist Church and a former member of Pate Chapel, both of Murphysboro. She was a very active former member of all seven churches that her husband was a pastor. She and her husband served in the jail ministry for twenty years. She enjoyed reading and sewing.

Pauline married Rev. James Duke, Jr. on December 2, 1956, in Murphysboro, and he preceded her in death on June 11, 2002.

Survivors include two children Cindy Reichrath and her husband James Reichrath and Stephen Duke, all of Murphysboro;

a foster daughter Carla Fletcher and her husband Alvin Fletcher of Murphysboro;

and five grandchildren James R. Reichrath, Jr. and his wife Meagan Reichrath, Joseph E. Reichrath, Joshua L. Duke, Jordan T. Duke, and Julia E. Duke.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters Catherine Esther Stark and Louise Hill, and one brother Ivan Stark.

Her body will be cremated. A memorial service will be held at 3 pm Sunday, August 5, 2018, at Elm Street Baptist Church with Rev. Charles Allen officiating.

A gravesite service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Monday, August 6, 2018, at Pleasant Grove Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to Elm Street Baptist Church or the National Kidney Foundation.