All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Ernest William Duke

Ernest William Duke, 62, of French Creek, W.Va., died Friday, July 17, 2020, at his home.

He was born July 26, 1957, in Upshur County, W.Va., a son of Hester Duke Newcome of Indian Camp, W.Va. and the late William Newcome.

On September 26, 1997, he married Shelby Hazelwood who survives. In addition to his mother and wife, he is survived by one daughter, Angela Duke of Parkersburg, W.Va.; one son, William Duke and wife Lillian of Indian Camp; one step son, Jimmy Vest and wife Heather of Princeton, W.Va.; one granddaughter, Shyla Duke of Indian Camp; two grandsons, Allen Lowther of Clarksburg, W.Va. and Johnathon Duke and wife Loren of Buckhannon; one step granddaughter, Brooke Vest of Princeton; one step grandson, Todd Vest of Princeton; two great-grandsons, Dalton and Boe Duke both of Buckhannon; one step great-grandson, Landon Cory of Princeton and one brother, Bernard Duke of Indian Camp.

Mr. Duke was a Driller and Tool Pusher. He worked in the Oil and Gas Industry for over forty-seven years.

Friends will be received Monday, July 20, 2020 from 11 a.m. until noon at the Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held noon Monday at the funeral home with the Rev. Ralph Miller and the Rev. Brandon Kelley officiating. Burial will follow in the Indian Camp Church Cemetery in French Creek.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.polingstclair.com. Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

My Buckhannon publishes obituaries free of charge as a courtesy to the family. Readers can support our publication by becoming a premium member.

Share this obituary:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Man arrested for DUI after February crash on Route 33 causes juvenile to suffer brain bleed

A 39-year-old man was arrested last week in relation to a February incident where he allegedly rear-ended a vehicle stopped at a red light, causing a juvenile passenger to be flown to Ruby Memorial with a brain bleed.

WVWC launches BobcAT Early Assurance Program for future athletic trainers

West Virginia Wesleyan College is offering high school students a new pathway to earn a Master of Athletic Training degree in just five years.

Buckhannon Community Theatre brings holiday magic to stage with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer JR

Holiday magic hits the Colonial Arts Center this weekend as Buckhannon Community Theatre presents the 60-minute, family-friendly Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer JR, celebrating the joy of being uniquely you.

Carpenter Crunch Time Week 15: The end is here

The new four-class setup delivered a lopsided West Virginia high school football semifinals, and Duane breaks down why as he previews this weekend’s championships. He also reacts to WVU and Marshall missing bowls and shares Week 15 picks plus a readers’ contest update.

Three Bucs earn Big 10 All-Conference Football honors

Three Buckhannon-Upshur players — senior utility quarterback Dawson Tenney, junior lineman Greyson Wyland and junior linebacker Kadyn Baisden — were named to the 2025 Big 10 All-Conference Blue Division team.
Fred Eberle Technical Center

Fred W. Eberle Technical Center Administrative Council to meet December 9

The Fred W. Eberle Technical Center Administrative Council will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 2 p.m. at the center, 208 Morton Avenue in Buckhannon.

Lentz looking to build confidence with young Lady Buc basketball team in 2025-26 season

Buckhannon-Upshur coach Alicia Lentz says her 12-player Lady Buc roster must build confidence and develop quickly through a tough nonconference and Big 10 schedule to find success in the 2025-26 season.

Westfall has team-high 21 points but Wesleyan loses high scoring affair to Frostburg State, 109-95

Despite a 21-point effort from Jaden Westfall and strong contributions from Isaiah Baker and Stephen Ovia, West Virginia Wesleyan fell 109-95 to Frostburg State as the visitors’ hot perimeter shooting and turnovers decided the game.

Wesleyan women cruise past Frostburg State in home opener, 89-58

West Virginia Wesleyan overwhelmed Frostburg State 89–58 in the home opener, paced by Ana Young’s 25 points, Emma Witt’s 17 and a season-high 27 assists as the Lady Bobcats dominated the second half.

Appalachian Impact working to open interactive children’s activity space on Main Street in Buckhannon

Appalachian Impact plans to open an interactive children’s museum and community hub on Main Street, featuring hands-on exhibits for older kids, a toddler area and sponsor-supported play booths. A late-spring launch is planned pending grants, with field trips and a meeting space for local groups.

New catio will let Lewis-Upshur shelter cats stretch out in the sun

A donor funded materials and the county maintenance department is building an indoor and outdoor catio for Lewis-Upshur Animal Control facility, giving long-term cats space to stretch their legs.

Central West Virginia Republican Women honor community leaders at annual meeting

Central West Virginia Republican Women honored outgoing president LeVera Gillum and community leaders at their annual meeting, presented awards to Man, Woman and Volunteers of the Year, celebrated the club’s service and elected new officers for 2026–2027.