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Wellington “Duke” Rapp, 100, of Kenton, died at 11:14 a.m. Thursday, July 12, 2018, at his residence.
He was born on July 20, 1917, in Hardin County to the late Harry B. and Coza Wilson Rapp. On June 16, 1943, he married Ruth L. Durkin and she preceded him in death Jan. 21, 2014.
He is survived by his son, Dale (Dorcas) Rapp of Kenton; daughter, Monica (Todd) Smith Sr. of Kenton; grandchildren, Todd (Misti) Smith Jr., Kellie (Mike) Eversole, Tiffany (Tyler) Sparks, Tabitha (Isaac) Houser, Joel (Diane) Rapp, and Erica (Casper) Agyeman-Duah; and great-grandchildren, Tyler Tillman, Trevor Sparks, Trenton Sparks, Corey Eversole, Kaylie Eversole, Jacob Eversole, Cameron Smith, Emma Smith, Adeline Buckenroth, Jarrett Buckenroth, Hannah Houser, Lydia Houser, Andrew Houser, Leah Rapp, Ava Rapp, Eli Aygeman-Duah and Bella Aygeman-Duah.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Wonita LeVally, and brothers, Marion, Wilbur, Raymond and Earl Rapp.
Duke was a farmer and attended the Otterbein United Methodist Church.
Duke and Ruth had enjoyed traveling the lower 48 states and Canada and visited relatives in Germany several times.
Wellington earned the nickname “Duke” in grade school from studying the Duke of Wellington at Grassy Point. When he went to high school he joined the first Future Farmers of America Chapter organized at Ridgeway High School in 1931. From the ag classes, he learned mechanical and leadership skills that earned him quick advancement to the rank of staff sergeant in the U.S. Army Airforce.
He was in charge of several motor pools in the U.S. and Fiji Islands during World War II.
Services for begin at 11 a.m. Monday, July 16, at Price-McElroy Funeral Home in Kenton, where calling is from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 15. Pastors Calvin Waugh and Denny Livingston officiatie and burial follows at Otterbein Cemetery. Military graveside rites will be by Amvets Post 1994.
Memorials may be made to Ridgemont FFA and Universal Hospice.
Online condolences may be expressed at pricefh.net.