Churchman, L. Duane 1931-2014

CHURCHMAN, VESTAL, VAN MEETEREN, HUFFMAN

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 12/22/2014 at 14:19:11

L. Duane Churchman
Ankeny

The Rev. L. Duane Churchman, Ankeny, IA, passed from this life on December 19, 2014 at the Taylor House Hospice Center. Funeral Services will be 10 am, Tuesday, December 23, 2014 at the Ankeny First United Methodist Church. Family will greet friends from 5 to 7 Monday evening at the Church. Kale Funeral Home of Osceola is in charge of arrangements.

Duane was born May 8, 1931, in Omaha, NE, to J. Arthur and Dorothy (Vestal) Churchman. He spent his childhood in Southwest Iowa with a younger brother, David. He was a graduate of Farragut High School, Creston Junior College, and Simpson College. He completed his Master of Divinity degree from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC, in 1959. He met his future spouse, Darlene, while both were students at Creston Junior College, and together they entered into a lifetime of ministry. Duane served student pastorates while at Simpson College, and also while in seminary, including historic Stone Chapel in New Windsor, MD. He spent his ministry in the Iowa Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church, spanning 40 years and serving in Keota, Newton (St. Luke), Carlisle, Des Moines (Wesley), Fort Madison (First), Waverly (Trinity), Sioux City (First), and Osceola. Since retiring in 1996, he also served several Interim Pastorates in Iowa and Illinois.

Additional Annual Conference responsibilities included the Board of Trustees, Building and Church Location, District youth work, and he was instrumental in developing the Annual Conference Pages program and served as its director for 25 years. He and Darlene also spent many years serving on the Board of Wesley Woods Camp and Retreat Center, a ministry that was extremely close to his heart. He led numerous youth and adult mission trips to various locations as well. His involvement in the Iowa Travel Trailer Club was a passion of his in recent years, and he had also served a term as Club President. Duane had been a proud member of the Iowa State Patrol Chaplain Program since 1989. He also worked for Kale Funeral Home in his retirement, a relationship he especially enjoyed.

Duane is survived by his spouse of 61 years, Darlene, of Ankeny, IA. He is also survived by sons, Lindsay (Jennie) Churchman of Eureka, IL; Dan (Debi) Churchman of Monument, CO; Doug (Kelli) Churchman of Ankeny, IA; and daughter Leah (Drew Van Meeteren) Churchman of Ankeny, IA. He leaves behind 11 grandchildren: Emily Churchman, Kamerin Churchman, Katie (Jonathan) Huffman, Kourtlin Churchman, Kierin Churchman, Libby Churchman, Davis Churchman, Dane Churchman, Kade Van Meeteren, Rachel Churchman, and Damin Churchman. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, and a precious grand-daughter, Jess Van Meeteren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wesley Woods Camp and Retreat Center.Online condolences at www.kalefuneralhome.com. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/desmoinesregister/obituary.aspx?n=l-duane-churchman&pid=173539249&fhid=3899&eid=sp_ommatch#sthash.RbIhJQF7.dpuf ~ The Des Moines Register Legacy, Des Moines, Iowa Dec 2014.