Duane M. Beckler

MOUNT PLEASANT ? Duane Merrell Beckler, 53, of rural Mount Pleasant, died Thursday, March 24, 2016, at his home.

A funeral service will begin at 11 a.m., Tuesday, March 29, at the Bethel Mennonite Church in Wayland with the Rev. Curt Kuhns and the Rev. Ken Steckly officiating. Burial will be in Bethel Cemetery. A visitation with family receiving friends will be held from 4 to 8 p.m., Monday, March 28, at the church. A memorial has been established to the Beckler Family to be determined at a later date. The Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel in Mount Pleasant is in charge of the arrangements.

Mr. Beckler was born Dec. 26, 1962, in Lebanon, Oregon, the son of Delmar Floyd and Mildred (Unternahrer) Beckler.

He graduated from Hope Haven School in Burlington. He worked as a ?supervisor? at the Washington County Developmental Center. He loved to bowl and play golf. He listened to country western music, enjoyed horses, and loved to go to Midwest Old Threshers each year. An avid NASCAR fan, his favorite driver was Jeff Gordon. A special uncle to his many nieces and nephews, he enjoyed spending time with his family.

Surviving are his parents, of Mount Pleasant; four siblings, Ardith Frees and husband Tom of Riverside, Dean Beckler and wife Crystal of Crawfordsville, Sharon Blakley and husband Steve of Wayland, and Beverly Elmore of Albia; and 20 nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ira and Miriam Beckler, and Jake and Mayme Unternahrer; one brother-in-law, Daniel Elmore; and several aunts and uncles.