Herrin- Patricia Kay "Patty" Duncan, 74, of Herrin, passed away at 2:10 AM, Thursday, January 22, 2026 at Herrin Hospital after a second bout with cancer.

Patty was born on November 2, 1951 in Herrin to Robert "Bob" Eugene and Aline Ruth (Barlow) Hernbeck. She was married briefly to Jerry Morris and divorced. She married Dale Lee Duncan on October 11, 1980 in Energy and he preceded her in death on October 23, 2021.

She was a dedicated and hardworking woman who worked the washer line at Maytag for 33 years until the plant moved. She later worked several years at Herrin Hospital until she became to sick in 2025..

She was an active member of Energy First Baptist Church where she lead the song service and taught the young children in Vacation Bible School. She will be remembered for her beautiful voice. She and her husband Dale were members of A.B.A.T.E.- Southern Freedom Chapter. In her spare time she enjoyed riding motorcycles and hand quilting baby blankets for her friends and family. She was a wonderful baker and cook and liked spending quiet time camping and roasting marshmallows and hot dogs over a camp fire with her family at Little Grassy Lake.

Survivors include her daughter- Tara (Nicholas) Hartley of Herrin; son- Devin Duncan of Herrin; step-son- Billy Duncan of Blairsville; 13 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren plus one on the way; brother- Gary (Sheila) Hernbeck of Herrin; sisters- Cheryl (Don) Knott of Terra Haute, IN and Crystal Richason of Jasper, Alabama as well as many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews and close friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, and step son- Torrey Duncan.

The funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM, Thursday, January 29, 2026 at Energy First Baptist Church/ 101 South Pershing Street/ Energy, Illinois. 62933. Pastor Marshall Wheaton and Rev. James Wright will officiate. Burial will follow at Miners Cemetery in Royalton. Visitation will be from 11:00 AM until time of service, Thursday, January 29, 2026 at Energy First Baptist Church. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to McCluskie Funeral Home in Herrin.

Memorial donations are suggested to Energy First Baptist Church or the American Cancer Society and will be accepted at the church or mailed to McCluskie Funeral Home/ 501 S. 12th St/ Herrin, Illinois. 62948.

For more information please visit www.mccluskiemillerfh.com or call (618) 942-2020.

American Cancer Society
P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City OK 73123
Tel: 1-800-227-2345
Web: http://www.cancer.org/

Energy First Baptist Church
101 South Pershing Street, Energy IL 62933
Tel: 1-618-957-8946