Wellington "Duke" Relyea, III

RELYEA, Wellington III "Duke" - Age 85 of Fenton, passed away Monday, June 1, 2026. A service to celebrate Duke's life will be held 11 AM Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at Fenton United Methodist Church, 119 S. Leroy St, Fenton. Pastor Dave DeCook will be officiating. Burial in Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly. Visitation will be held at the church Tuesday, June 16, 2026 from 10 AM until the time of the service. Lunch to follow the funeral service. Those desiring may make contributions to Open Arms Hospice.

Duke was born May 6, 1941, in Flint, Michigan. He is the son of Wellington, Jr. and Eunice (Dunk) Relyea. Graduating from Pontiac High School in 1959, Duke went on to earn his bachelor's and master's degrees from Eastern Michigan University. Duke played football and wrestled for EMU; his name is on a plaque in Bowen Field House for going to Nationals for wrestling. He was a 2nd Lieutenant of the U.S. Army serving as platoon leader in troop F of the regiment's 2nd Reconnaissance Squadron near Kaiserslautern, Germany. Duke retired from the Wayne-Westland Community Schools as a special education teacher; he also was a driver's training instructor. He attended Fenton United Methodist Church when living in Fenton during the summers with his wife, Judy. During the winter, Duke and Judy enjoyed living in Lakeland, Florida, near friends.

Surviving are: his wife, Judith Leek of Fenton; his children, Wellington Relyea IV of Clinton Township, Kimberly (Brent) Madigan of Fennville, and Laura (Kenneth) Coatsworth of Howell; numerous grandchildren; his siblings, Gary (Anne) Relyea of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, Deanna (Piotr) Relyea of Ann Arbor, and Renee (Doug) Bauer of Lansing; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Wellington and Eunice Relyea; his sister, Cheri Murphy; his former wives, Roberta Guy (mother of his children) and Ann Relyea.

Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.