Mary Jane “Janie” Marts Alkek Duke, 75, passed peacefully Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012, at her home in Victoria, Texas.
Visitation was held at the Rosewood Funeral Chapel from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 2, at Trinity Episcopal Church, in Victoria, with the Rev. Bur Dobbins officiating. Pallbearers will be Zack Alkek, Joe Graves, Tom Hickner, William Kelly, Jr., David Robinson and Duncan Sutherland. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.
She was born Oct. 19, 1937, in Mount Vernon, Ohio, to the late Lewis A. Marts and Wanita Marts. She grew up in North Carolina, and after graduating from Aberdeen High School, she moved to Texas.
She was a loyal and valued member of Trinity Episcopal Church, where she was active in the choir for more than 40 years. She retired from working at Trinity Episcopal Church and School after 34 years of service.
She enjoyed playing cards, games, reading and taking cruises with her husband Tommy, and friends. Her interest in genealogy led to research her family into the 1600s and to becoming a member of the Daniel Braman chapter of the Daughters of the American Colonists, the Daughters of the American Revolution and the First Families of Ohio.
She is survived by her husband Thomas B. Duke, of Victoria; daughter Cheri Alkek, of Victoria; son Keith Alkek, of Austin, Texas; stepdaughters Diane Alkek Kneupper, of Victoria, and Denise Duke Nance, of Round Rock, Texas; stepson Dr. Thomas Scott Duke, of Juneau, Alaska; grandchildren Nicolle and Amber Brown, Zachary and Shelby Alkek, step grandchildren Kayla and Rylie Nance, Cary and Jon Kneupper; brother William Marts and wife, Sandi, of Aberdeen; sister Faith Ann Moshier, of Kentucky; sister-in-law Jane Marts, of Charlotte; cousin Jean Marts Reed, of Fredericktown, Ohio, and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Janie was preceded in death by her husband Edward W. Alkek; and her brother Dr. John Marts.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, 1501 North Glass Street, Victoria, TX 77901; or to Hospice of South Texas, 605 E. Locust Ave, Victoria, TX 77901.
Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.
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