John VanDuren Reverend

Van Duren Reverend, John

Reverend John Van Duren went to be with the Lord on December 22, 2014. John is survived by his wife of sixty-three years, Marilyn; three children, R. James Van Duren (Cindy), Nancy R. Deuel (Dave), and Rebecca Van Duren; seven grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren. John was born in Sultan, Washington on January 27, 1921, to Cornelius and Annie Tunistra Van Duren. He was the youngest of ten children, sisters Nellie, Mamie, Gladys, and Jenny, and brothers Richard, Neil, Marty, Bill, and Art. John's family moved to New Jersey when he was four years old. John served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, and worked primarily as an assistant to the Chaplain. Afterwards, John attended a Word of Life Rally in Madison Square Garden, where he dedicated his life to full-time Christian ministry. In 1948, John enrolled in Providence Bible Institute (Providence, RI) and received a Bachelor's Degree in 1951. John met Marilyn Page in 1950, and they were married August 25, 1951. In 1953, John, Marilyn, and young son James traveled to Nigeria by freighter ship, where they served as missionaries until 1958. While serving in Nigeria, daughters Rebecca and Nancy were born. In 1960, John received a call to pastor Euclid Baptist Church in Brooklyn, NY. While at Euclid Baptist Church, he earned a Master's Degree in American History from New York University. He later served as senior pastor at People's Baptist Church in Newfield, NY for eleven years and at Calvary Baptist Church in Horseheads, NY for five years. John also taught high school English and History at Newfield Central School and Driver's Education at Watkins Glen High School. After retiring, he continued to preach as interim pastor at West Danby Baptist Church, West Jackson Baptist Church, Cayuta Free Church, and West Groton Bible Church. Charitable donations can be made to Word of Life Fellowship - Donations, PO Box 600, Schroon Lake, NY 12870 or Shepherds Ministries, 1805 15th Avenue, Union Grove, WI 54182. Viewing will take place on Saturday, December 27, 2014, at 10:00 am, followed by the funeral service at 11:00 am, both at Tabernacle Baptist Church, 1019 North Cayuga St., Ithaca, NY 14850. A reception will immediately follow the service.