Rev. Dr. Paul William Duneman

The Reverend Paul William Duneman, 91, passed away on into the arms of his blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, whom he loved and served, on January 22, 2021. He will be dearly missed by his family and many friends.

Rev. Duneman was born March 1, 1929, and was adopted by William and Bertha Duneman of Fountain, MN, from the Owatonna State orphanage. They were the most wonderful parents he could have had. He graduated from Spring Valley High School, Spring Valley, MN in 1947.

He and the love of his life, Phyllis Ruth Mlenar, were married on June 18, 1949 in the Fillmore, MN Free Methodist Church. They were blessed with two sons, Steven and Stanley. Paul had several places of employment until he joined the US Airforce on July 22, 1951. After basic training at Lackland AFB, TX and schooling at NM Western College, in Silver City NM, he served in Germany; Okinawa (Japan, Korea and PI) Upon honorable discharge, he returned stateside on Feb. 16, 1961.

Paul felt the call to ministry when he was 11 years old. He became a licensed Free Methodist Local Preacher on May 23, 1961. He was appointed, with Phyl his wonderful wife and helpmate, to the Alexandria-Osakis circuit churches in Minnesota on October 1, 1961. Paul was ordained to Deacon and in 1965 he was ordained Elder. They served there for 14 years until he was appointed to serve the Platteville, WI Free Methodist Church in 1976. In 1980 they were appointed to serve the Peoria, IL Bethel Church. After 8 years there, they were appointed to serve the St. Francisville, IL FM church. Paul retired from active ministry on June 30, 1994, then moved back to spring Valley, MN. He remained a member of the Wabash Conference of the Free Methodist Church of North America. In retirement he continued to fill pulpits for several local denominations. He moved to Longmont, CO in the spring of 2014, after the loss the loss of his wife, Phyllis.

While appointed to Alexandria MN, he served as chaplain for American Legion Post 87, and 7th District for seven years. He was also elected MN Department chaplain two different years. In conferences of the church, he served on several boards and committiees. He was awarded alife membership in the American Legion by post 87, rewarding his work with the Legion. He is a life member of the VFW Post 4114, Spring Valley, MN. He is past president of the South Dash West Kiwanis Club of Peoria, IL. On April 15, 1988 he was given an Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree. He enjoyed bowling, golfing, and stamp collecting.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis; parents, William and Bertha; his son Steven; his son "Baby Duneman"; and sister, Phyllis Ahern. He is survived by his son Stanley (Myrna), of Longmont, CO; Daughter-in-law Linda Duneman of St. Cloud, MN; Grandchildren; Andrew Duneman of Longmont, CO; Dawn (Mark) Berkshire of Fairchance, PA; Nathan (Jeannie) of Isle, MN; Great grandchildren: Corren and Calvin Duneman of Isle, MN, several nieces and nephews. And his very special friend Harriett Klor of Longmont, CO.

He requested Memorial contributions be made, in his name, to The Gideon's International. Longs peak Gideon's, PO Box 1611, Longmont, Co 80502. Or gideons.org/send the word. A memorial service will be held at Life Bridge Christian Church on February 9, 2021 at 10:30 am.