L. Duane Churchman Ankeny

The Rev. L. Duane Churchman, 83, of Ankeny died Dec. 19, 2014, at Taylor House Hospice Center.

Funeral services were 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23, at Ankeny First United Methodist Church.

Memorials may be given to Wesley Woods Camp and Retreat Center. Online condolences may be left at www.kalefuneralhome.com.

L. Duane Churchman, son of Dorothy (Vestal) and J. Arthur Churchman, was born May 8, 1931, in Omaha, Neb. He spent his childhood in Southwest Iowa.

Duane 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, D.C., 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. He led numerous youth and adult mission trips to various locations, as well. He was involved with the Iowa Travel Trailer Club, and he had also served a term as club president. Duane was a member of the Iowa State Patrol Chaplain Program since 1989. He also worked for Kale Funeral Home in his retirement.

Duane is survived by his spouse Darlene, of Ankeny; sons, Lindsay (Jennie) Churchman of Eureka, Ill., Dan (Debi) Churchman of Monument, Colo., and Doug (Kelli) Churchman of Ankeny; daughter Leah (Drew Van Meeteren) Churchman of Ankeny; and grandchildren, Emily and Kamerin Churchman, Katie (Jonathan) Huffman, Kourtlin, Kierin, Libby, Davis and Dane Churchman, Kade Van Meeteren, Rachel and Damin Churchman.

Duane was preceded in death by his parents, brother, and granddaughter, Jess Van Meeteren.