FORT WAYNE – Marjorie Louise Duecker, 88, of Fort Wayne, passed away Oct. 22, 2012, in Saint Anne Home. She was born Aug. 22, 1924, in Plymouth,to Charles and Grace Clouse. Her mother died when she was 9 years old so she was then raised by Jesse and Pearl Beyler of Plymouth. On June 13, 1948, she married R. Sheldon Duecker, a United Methodist minister. He preceded her in death. They served United Methodist Churches in Kokomo, Dyer, Muncie, Hartford City and Warsaw. They lived in Elgin, Ill., while her husband served as bishop to the Chicago area of the United Methodist Church. She graduated from Plymouth High School; with honors from Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion; and took graduate courses at Ball State University, Muncie. She taught in the Plymouth public schools for two years. She directed the only free and interracial kindergarten at Neighborhood House, Kokomo, from 1948-50. She taught naturalization classes for German and Japanese war brides, served as a librarian in Kokomo and taught weekday religious education classes in Muncie and Fort Wayne. She also volunteered to teach English as a second language in Elgin. She was an member of First Wayne Street United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women and served as a district and conference officer and as dean of the School of Christian Mission. She was a member of the board of the Wesley Foundation at Ball State University and served as a member of the Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns of the North Indiana Conference. She was a member of PEO and the Association of American University Women. She and her husband traveled in Europe, Chile, Zimbabwe, China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore. Surviving are a daughter, Cristine (and spouse David) Holman; a nephew, Robert (and spouse Jeannie) Clouse; grandchildren: Carrie, Robert (and spouse Maria) and Lori Haney; a great-granddaughter, Jaden Housman; brothers-in-law, Ronald (and spouse Ethel) and Dennis (and spouse Patti) Duecker; sisters-in-law, Jean and Diane Duecker; former daughter-in-law, Valerie Duecker and her three children; step-grandchildren: J.P. Isle, Josh Holman, Jasmin Lucas, Nicole (and spouse Tom) Putman; and several nieces and nephews. She also was preceded in death by a son, the Rev. Philip L. Duecker; a brother, Beuford Clouse; brothers-in-law, Sherrod, Heyman and Victor Duecker; and sisters-in-law, Myrtle Clouse and Audrey Duecker. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at First Wayne Street United Methodist Church, 300 E. Wayne St., Fort Wayne. Calling is from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at D.O. McComb & Sons Funeral Home, 1140 Lake Ave., Fort Wayne, and one hour prior to the service Saturday at the church. ***** Memorials may be made to The Bishop R. Sheldon and Marjorie L. Duecker Scholarship Fund of Africa University, c/o General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, P.O. Box 340007, Nashville, TN 37203; First Wayne Street United Methodist Church, 300 E. Wayne Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46802; or St. Anne Home, 1900 Randallia Drive, Fort Wayne, IN 46805. Condolences may be sent via www.mccombandsons.com
