Russell "Duke" Iden Gone West

[Forrest Barber]

I have been off the forumn for a couple of weeks. Illness and deaths in the family. Members have been stopping by and picking up parts and visiting.

It has now my time to get active again. My first task is to report that "Duke" Iden Went West around 12:30PM this past Friday, Sept. 7.
The family just met at the Funeral Home: http://ctc.funeralplan2.com/ this is Cassiday, Turkle, Christian here on Union Ave just south of Main st. The arrangements are not even posted on their site. At Dukes request , there is a cremation, then Tues.; Sept 11th there will be a gathering at 10AM ; services at 11AM then off to Don Pancho's for a last meeting of the Old-Timers , Taylorcraft Owners Club and Taylorcraft Foundation members in honor of "Duke"......... please post any messages for the family here and I will forward them .....

WOW " Duke" knew me for 67 of my 69 years. He still used the nickname "Contact" ; Farewell old friend , I will treasure our flights together in the past, especially going to the Funeral of Robert Taylor. I also treasure the writings of " Duke from Dixie " , your son Duke Iden..... God Bless!!

[M Towsley]

Re: Russell "Duke" Iden Gone West

I remember meeting Mr. Iden at the 2007 Alliance fly-in when he gave the factory tour and then again at last year's fly-in at Don Panchos. He was truly a gentleman and Taylorcraft has just lost a piece of its history. I am very sorry to hear of his passing.

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Russell "Duke" Iden Gone West

only one printed at this time on Sunday:
Forrest
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Russell E. 'Duke' Iden


Russell E. "Duke" Iden, 96, of Homeworth, died Friday, Sept. 7, 2012, at
Alliance Community Hospital.

He was born Sept. 13, 1915 on a farm, five miles east of Minerva, to Samuel
J. and Neata (Roudebush) Iden.

Duke spent his first two years of schooling in a one-room school, and
finished his education in the Minerva school system.

In 1937, he started working at Taylorcraft Aviation, and retired as head of
the domestic sales department. Duke owned and operated R.E. Iden
Construction and Iden Kitchens, where he was a certified kitchen designer
and cabinet maker.

He enjoyed watchmaking and clock repair, attended Beechwood Christian
Church, was an active member of the Lion's Club, where he was awarded Lion
of the Year. He also helped make the trailer used during Carnation Days in
the Park, which has led to more than $100,000 being donated to
seeing-eye-dogs fund.

Surviving are one son, Duke E. Iden of Marietta, Ga.; two granddaughters,
Annette (Iden) Prehn and Nicole (Iden) Nusbaum; nephews, Howard "Bud" Iden,
and Veryl Iden, and niece, Gayle (Iden) Norton. He was preceded in death by
his parents, his wife, Bertha E. Iden, who died in 1996; brothers, Loyal
Iden, and Paul Iden, and sister, Merna (Iden) Toalston.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11, at
Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home with Pastor Lee Iden officiating.
Friends may call one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers a book on aviation be donated in
Duke's name to Rodman Public Library, 215 E. Broadway St. Alliance, Ohio
44601, or Herrington Bethel United Methodist Church, 4009 Arbor Road,
Mechanicstown, Ohio 44651.

Arrangements are by Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home, 75 S. Union Ave.
Alliance, Ohio 44601. Friends may register online at: www.ctcfuneral.com.

[Ryan]

Re: Russell "Duke" Iden Gone West

I was sorry to hear this. Duke was a staple at the fly-ins. I was very happy to have finished NC43754 this past year and fly it around Ponchos for the Old Timers and Duke. He will be missed.