VERSAILLES, IN — The South Ripley School Corporation is mourning the passing of a longtime school bus driver after recent health challenges.
Duke Elliott safely transported South Ripley students to school for a record 50 years.
“He was never afraid to tell me to get my feet off the seat and sit up straight, so I was always very scared of Duke back in the day when I was a young elementary kid on the school bus,” said South Ripley Schools Superintendent Rob Moorhead. “He was just a fine gentleman and definitely his bark was worse than his bite.”
Elliott and his wife Rosella were both recognized by the South Ripley School Board last week for their numerous years of service to the corporation as school bus drivers. In addition to his 50 years of service, Rosella Elliott drove South Ripley school buses for 42 years.
Duke Elliott passed away at his Versailles home Saturday evening at the age of 77.
