Duane Robert Gayman, 64, was born Aug. 6, 1939, in Denver, CO, to the union of Leo Gayman and Lucy Elinor (Cruse) Gayman Ijams.
Early in his childhood Duane, along with his family, moved to the Schell City area where he attended both elementary and high school, graduating in 1957. Before graduation, Duane began working outside of the home, first for the Hedrick family then later for Leland and Vera Arnold. Shortly after starting to work for the Arnold's, Duane moved into their home where they considered him their son, and he looked upon them as his family.
After graduation, he moved to Kansas City and began employment with Hallmark Cards. It was while living in Kansas City that Duane met Shirley Faye Gilliland. They were married Nov. 14, 1959, in Schell City. Two sons and one daughter were born to their union.
Duane and Shirley made their home in the Kansas City area until the late 1960s when they moved to Schell City, where Duane farmed, worked construction and in the mid-1970s went into full time ministry with the Church of Christ in Schell City. In 2000 a dream of Duane's came true when he founded Living Hope Fellowship in Nevada. It had been his intention when entering the ministry to outreach to as many souls as possible thus was his decision to found Living Hope Fellowship. In what spare time Duane had, he enjoyed horses and most of all, his grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife, Shirley - of the home in Schell City; two sons, Michael Duane Gayman, and his wife-Rona - Joplin, and Steven Robert Gayman, and his wife-Errica - Nevada; one daughter, Lisa Shirlane Bowline, and her hus¬band-Rudy - Tulsa, OK; his mother, Lucy Ijams - Schell City; his very "special" mother, Vera Arnold - also of Schell City; four brothers - Dan Gayman, Dale Gayman and Dean Gayman - all of Schell City, and David Gayman - Butler; five sisters - Eva McDaniel, Marla Applegate, Janet Ijams and Sherrie Ijams - all of Schell City, and Barbara Gayman - Nevada; seven grandchildren - Austin Carter, Cole Gayman, Landon Bowline, Lindsey Bowline, Logan Bowline, Austin Gayman and Tyler Gayman; several nieces, nephews and cousins; other relatives and many, many friends.
Services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, at Living Hope Fellowship, Nevada, with Pastor Marty Compton and Pastor Mark Harwell officiating. Musical selections were provided by the Fellowship Singers. Pallbearers were Terry Smith, Ed Morlan, Ron Spellman, Jerry Stark, Ralph Shoemaker and Don Henson. Honorary pallbearers were Gary Hammack, James Gilliland, David Maus, Mike Eador, Warren Klinetobe, Wayne Yakel and Orval Moore. Interment was in the Green Lawn Cemetery, Schell City, under direction of Lewis-Hoagland Funeral Home, Schell City. Memorials are suggested to Restoration House in care of Living Hope Fellowship, 704 E. Hickory, Nevada, MO.
