Mr. Duckers was born Nov. 17, 1927, in Wetmore to Charles L. and Sadie. He graduated from Kansas State University and earned a master's degree in school administration from Wichita State University. While at KSU, he was editor of the Kansas State Collegian and a member of Sigma Delta Chi and Acacia fraternity.

He served in the U.S. Navy from 1945 to '46.

Mr. Duckers married Elizabeth A. Wohlgemuth in April 17, 1956, in rural Atchison County.

He worked at St. John's Military School as public information officer, superintendent and president.

He was elected to the National Association of Military School Board of Directors, served as president of Association of Military Colleges and Schools of the United States and was presented the group's distinguished service award in recognition of "enduring patriotic precepts."

He served two four-year terms on the Salina City Commission, was mayor from 1977 to '78 and 1982 to '83, served on the Salina Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors three times, was its vice president, was a member of the State Chamber Board from 1982 to '88, and was a member of the Kansas Cavalry.

He was a Master Mason, a 33rd degree Scottish Rite Mason and a Potentate of Isis Shrine Temple, served on the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children (St. Louis unit) Board of Governors, was director of Uniformed Bodies of Isis Temple, was elected to Knight Commander's Court of Honor and was a member and director of the Royal Order of Jesters, Salina Court No. 94.

He was a member of Christ Episcopal Cathedral, where he served on the Vestry twice and was junior warden, served on National Association of Episcopal Schools Board of Governors and received the Diocese of Western Kansas Bishop's Award.

He was president of the Salina Kiwanis Club, a member of Gridiron, president of the Kansas State Saline County Alumni Association and on the Association of United States Army Board of Directors and the Ft. Riley Mounted Color Guard and Horse Calvary Troop Board of Directors, of which he was also vice chairman. He was a member and chairman of Kansas State Journalism School Development Committee.

Mr. Duckers was preceded in death by a brother, Charles Jr.; and three sisters, Esther Stephenson, Dorothy Duckers and Donis Owings.

Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth A., of the home; two sons, Edward Charles and wife Roxane of Kentfield, Calif., and Kyle Grafton and wife Larina of Manhattan Beach, Calif.; a daughter, Sarah Ann Duckers and husband Mark Davidson of Houston; seven grandchildren, Christopher and Chaffee Duckers of McLean, Va., Lisa and Landon Duckers of Manhattan Beach, William and Thomas Davidson of Houston and Alexandria Duckers Polidora of Kentfield, Calif.; and four sisters-in-law, J. Carol Wohlgemuth of Oxnard, Calif., Dorothy Lynch of Olathe, Joan Musback and husband Ken of Kirkwood, Mo., and Lois Stanton and husband William of Del Mar, Calif.

A memorial Mass will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Christ Cathedral Episcopal Church, Salina.

Memorials may be made to the Keith Duckers Scholarship Fund at St. John's Military School.

Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth, Salina, is handling arrangements.