Steven Ferree Duke, of the large and loving Duke-Sasser-Poynter-Jacober family, passed away at age 65 on September 12th, 2026 at Bethesda North Hospital with his wife and three of his children by his side. Steve was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and a beloved social studies teacher at Princeton High School in Sharonville, Ohio. His teaching career sadly drew to a close with a battle against lung cancer, and while his retirement was far too short, it was filled with time with family and in his favorite recliner reading books.
Steve was born on July 8th, 1961, in Liberty, Texas, to Spencer and Edna Duke. He was the second youngest of five children and grew up in Garland, Texas. After graduating from North Garland High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at age 18 and served from 1980-1984, reaching the rank of Corporal. He served in the H&MS-32 unit aboard the USS Guadalcanal (LPH-7) and aided in search and rescue missions following the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing. In 1982 he married his first wife, Patricia Duke (née Eubanks), and together they adopted a son, Ryan, and had a daughter, Shannon. After his service, he worked for MCI Communications, building out the backbone of the early internet as a fiber-optics design engineer. He was widowed in 1995 and later joined an internet support group on AOL called Widows and Widowers. At a meeting of the support group in February 1996, Steve met his second wife, Tari Sasser, whom he married later that year.
Steve and Tari combined their families in Liberty Township, Ohio, which they would call home for the next 30 years. Steve became a loving stepdad to Tari’s three children, Kristen, Matthew, and Conrad, and two years later they had a daughter, Kali. While caring for his now-six children, Steve followed his dream of becoming a history teacher, earning his bachelor’s degree in education from Miami University in 1999. He taught social studies for two years at Preble Shawnee High School before beginning his long career as a social studies teacher at Princeton High School in 2002. Steve earned his master’s degree in education from the University of Cincinnati in 2008 and was recognized as Princeton High School’s Viking Excellence Teacher of the Year in 2017.
A proud father of a blended family, Steve understood that the ties that bind us are made, not given, a lesson that guided his parenting, teaching, and service. He carried his best qualities – kindness, a bit of gruffness, humor, and steadfastness – forward from his years in the Marine Corps to his years of service as a committed teacher and a mentor for students and colleagues alike. He was a fierce supporter of his wife (and favorite artist) of 30 years, Tari Sasser, and the family that they made together. Their marriage was a medley of art shows, date nights at Playhouse in the Park, RV trips, coaching soccer games, Nintendo golf with grandchildren, Christmas snickerdoodles, and a loud, bountiful dinner table of Tari's renowned cooking (though, despite all efforts, he never touched his vegetables).
Steve is survived by his wife, Tari Sasser (66); his six children, Kristen Lavrinovich (née Poynter) (45), Matthew Poynter (44), Ryan Duke (36), Conrad Jacober (33), Shannon Duke (32), and Kali Duke (28); his five grandchildren, Anastasia Lavrinovich (20), Alexander Lavrinovich (17), Zelda Morris (10), Auden Scott (9), and Sora Morris (6); his four siblings in Dallas, Texas, Cynthia Duke Birowski (73), Tim Duke (70), David Duke (66), and Conni Duke Peterson (62); and his two sons-in-law, Artem Lavrinovich (46) and Brice Scott (26). Steve is predeceased by his first wife, Patty Duke, and his parents, Spencer and Edna Duke.
There will be a brief burial ceremony at 9am on Friday, September 25th at Dayton National Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held for Steve at 1pm on Sunday, September 27 in the cafeteria of Princeton High School (100 Viking Way, Cincinnati, OH 45246). All are welcome to attend, including Mr. Duke's former students. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Fisher House Foundation.
https://www.hodappfuneralhome.com/obituaries/steven-duke
Sunday, September 13, 2026
Dear Princeton family members,
It is with great sadness that I must inform you of the death of one of our recent teachers, Mr. Steve Duke. Mr. Duke took a leave of absence after Spring Break in 2026 and retired from Princeton City School District in May 2026. Mr. Duke served the district for over 24 years.
This information is being shared with you today because we believe that it is important for you to have a choice to communicate the loss with your child in a manner appropriate for your family.
Starting Monday, September 14th, a support team of school psychologists, counselors, and other pupil support staff from the Princeton City School District will be available to offer grief counseling to any student who may need to talk. Our support team will remain available for as long as needed in the days ahead.
When faced with the death of someone close to them, children may go through stages of grief. Please watch your children and be alert to any changes, such as:
Physical – any changes in sleep patterns or eating habits;
Emotional – any changes such as unusual fears, anger, worry, or clinging behaviors toward parents; or
Social – loss of interest in usual activities
Here is a link to resources on our district website that you can use to talk with your child. If you think your child is having a difficult time dealing with this loss, please contact the school, and we will provide additional assistance. Talbert House and MindPeace counselors are also available. Please call 513-246-9140 to speak with someone immediately.
I know you will join me in extending our heartfelt sympathy to Mr. Duke’s family.
Sincerely,
James Stallings, Principal
Princeton High School
A Message from Superintendent Dr. Mari E. Phillips:
On behalf of the Princeton City School District Board of Education, we are saddened to share the news of the death of Steve Duke, a recently retired Princeton High School social studies teacher.
The Princeton City School District is grateful for Mr. Duke’s many years of dedicated service to our students and community. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, former students, colleagues, and the entire Viking family.
A veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Mr. Duke served Princeton City Schools for 24 years before retiring at the end of the 2025-2026 school year. In 2017, he was named Viking Excellence Teacher of the Year at Princeton High School.
Mr. Duke was a leader and mentor whose commitment extended far beyond the classroom. Sincere and deeply invested in his students, he built meaningful relationships and worked tirelessly to help them succeed. As an Advanced Placement History teacher, he challenged his students while making sure they felt supported, connected, and confident in their understanding of the material.
He was also a steadying presence in the Social Studies Department, generously sharing resources, lesson plans, advice, and his knowledge of technology with colleagues. Even while managing the demands of multiple courses, Mr. Duke made time to help others and became a trusted resource throughout Princeton High School. His servant leadership, generosity, and willingness to help were hallmarks of the teacher and colleague he was.
We recognize that this news may be difficult for those who worked with Mr. Duke or knew him through our schools. Talbert House, MindPeace, and Curelink staff will be available on-site for students and staff who would like support. Individuals may also speak with their school administration for assistance accessing additional resources. Fernside counselors are available by calling 513-246-9140.
We invite the Princeton community to join us in honoring Mr. Duke’s legacy of service and the lasting impact he made on generations of students, colleagues, and families.
Service and memorial information: https://www.hodappfuneralhome.com/obituaries/steven-duke