Ronald “Ron” Eugene Duncan, 83, died on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at his home outside of Missouri Valley. He was born on May 1, 1942, to Estel (Eilert) and Maurice Duncan in Mount Vernon, Ind. He grew up in Evansville, Ind. and graduated from high school there. Ten days after graduation he left for Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. After boot camp, Ron was assigned to Air Police at Biggs Air Force in El Paso, Texas and he was also stationed in Morocco, North Africa where he became a part of the K-9 Corp. While there he was in Security for the B-47 Bomb Wing during the Cold War with his German Shepard, Brando. When Ron had ten months left of tour, he was stationed at Offutt AFB in Nebraska, in the SAC elite guard. In June of 1964, he was honorably discharged and then he served two years in active reserve. On March 7, 1964, Ron was united in marriage to Connie Hammitt at First Lutheran Church in Omaha, Neb. They were blessed with two sons, Wade and Matthew. In 1980, Ron moved his family from Omaha to the Missouri Valley area. After marriage, Ron owned two Derby Gas Stations in Omaha and then worked over 20 years for P.I.E. Trucking. After retirement, Ron worked tirelessly to help his sons. He was very proud of them, and he liked to help them both in each of their businesses. His favorite task was “trucking” for them.
Ron led an active life, always doing, helping others and supporting those he believed in. Some of his life work included: starting Feingold Chapters for Nebraska and Iowa, being a homeschool pioneer before it was legalized in Iowa, being a member of the Minute Men, being active in the Republican party and holding various positions on the board for the Harris Grove Cemetery. He also enjoyed riding his motorcycle and spending time with his kids and grandkids. Through all his activities, his favorite pastime was studying his Bible and sharing the gospel. Our heavenly father rejoices at the foundations Ron laid.
Ron was preceded in death by his wife, Connie; his parents; his sister, June Duke; and his brother, Mike Duncan. Those left to cherish his memory are his dear friend, Donna O’Neill; children, Wade Duncan and his wife Sasha, Matthew Duncan and his wife Elizabeth; grandchildren, Eilert, Barrett, Isaac and Dylan Duncan; sister, Susan Helfert and her husband Dave; sister-in-law, Kathy Duncan; brother-in-law, Bill Hammitt and his wife Rita; and many other relatives and friends.
A graveside service was held on Wednesday, June 11, 2015, at Harris Grove Cemetery in rural Logan. Wayne Bahr presided over the service. The recorded musical selections were “When the Saints Go Marching In” and “Amazing Grace”. The honorary pallbearers were Eilert Duncan, Barrett Duncan, Isaac Duncan and Dylan Duncan. The pallbearers were Jeremy Arkfeld, Don Blackford, Wes Hammitt, Adam Mohning, Trent Oloff and Jeff Soetmelk. Military Graveside Rites were performed.
Fouts Funeral Home in Woodbine was in charge of arrangements. www.foutsfuneralhome.com
