Obituary for Michael Duka
Michael Duka, 89, of Pennsburg, PA, passed away on Wednesday, September 21, 2022. He was the loving husband of Jeanette S. (Bartman) Duka, sharing 66 years of marriage.
Born in Green Lane, he was one of 12 children to the late Stephen and Catherine (Miselewicz) Duka.
Michael was a 1951 graduate of East Greenville High School and served his country in the United States Air Force. He then went on to earn his Bachelors Degree from Gettysburg College and his Masters Degree in Education from West Chester University. Mr. Duka had a 33 year long career at Upper Perkiomen High School as a Physical Education, Health and Anatomy teacher. He was a beloved teacher who touched many students’ lives by coaching, mentoring and helping them go beyond what they thought they were capable of. He was a fixture on the sports fields at the high school, as he coached football for 27 years, along with basketball, baseball and started the wrestling and tennis programs. After retirement, he could be found at Macoby Run Golf Course mowing the fairways.
He was a member of St. Philip Neri Church in Pennsburg where he was a Eucharistic Minister. In his spare time, he enjoyed woodworking, especially making birdhouses, birdwatching, tending his flower beds, cooking, and cheering on the Philadelphia sports teams. While Michael enjoyed the company of many friends, he most enjoyed being with his family, especially his grandchildren who called him Pop-pop.
Surviving along with his wife, are his three children, Michael Duka of Pennsburg, Teresa DeBias and husband, Dennis of Collegeville and Matthew Duka and wife, Jennifer of Green Lane; seven grandchildren, Todd, Kristin, Rachel and husband, Samuel, David, Shae, Boris and Malachi; and two great-grandchildren, Lilly and Aurora.
He is predeceased by a daughter, Christina Duka; a grandson, Ezra Duka; and 10 siblings.
A funeral mass will be held at 11 AM on Monday, October 3, 2022 at St. Philip Neri Church, 1325 Klinerd Road, Pennsburg, PA 18073 with a burial following in Holy Cross Cemetery. A viewing will be held from 9 AM to 10:45 AM. Arrangements are entrusted to Mann-Slonaker Funeral Home, East Greenville. You may leave online condolences and share memories at www.mannslonakerfuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Upper Perk Touchdown Club and mailed to Rachelle Schwartz, Attn. UP Touchdown Club, 2104 Morgan Hill Dr., Pennsburg Pa 18073.
Born in Green Lane, he was one of 12 children to the late Stephen and Catherine (Miselewicz) Duka.
Michael was a 1951 graduate of East Greenville High School and served his country in the United States Air Force. He then went on to earn his Bachelors Degree from Gettysburg College and his Masters Degree in Education from West Chester University. Mr. Duka had a 33 year long career at Upper Perkiomen High School as a Physical Education, Health and Anatomy teacher. He was a beloved teacher who touched many students’ lives by coaching, mentoring and helping them go beyond what they thought they were capable of. He was a fixture on the sports fields at the high school, as he coached football for 27 years, along with basketball, baseball and started the wrestling and tennis programs. After retirement, he could be found at Macoby Run Golf Course mowing the fairways.
He was a member of St. Philip Neri Church in Pennsburg where he was a Eucharistic Minister. In his spare time, he enjoyed woodworking, especially making birdhouses, birdwatching, tending his flower beds, cooking, and cheering on the Philadelphia sports teams. While Michael enjoyed the company of many friends, he most enjoyed being with his family, especially his grandchildren who called him Pop-pop.
Surviving along with his wife, are his three children, Michael Duka of Pennsburg, Teresa DeBias and husband, Dennis of Collegeville and Matthew Duka and wife, Jennifer of Green Lane; seven grandchildren, Todd, Kristin, Rachel and husband, Samuel, David, Shae, Boris and Malachi; and two great-grandchildren, Lilly and Aurora.
He is predeceased by a daughter, Christina Duka; a grandson, Ezra Duka; and 10 siblings.
A funeral mass will be held at 11 AM on Monday, October 3, 2022 at St. Philip Neri Church, 1325 Klinerd Road, Pennsburg, PA 18073 with a burial following in Holy Cross Cemetery. A viewing will be held from 9 AM to 10:45 AM. Arrangements are entrusted to Mann-Slonaker Funeral Home, East Greenville. You may leave online condolences and share memories at www.mannslonakerfuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Upper Perk Touchdown Club and mailed to Rachelle Schwartz, Attn. UP Touchdown Club, 2104 Morgan Hill Dr., Pennsburg Pa 18073.