Richard Duane Ambrose, 77, of Effingham passed away peacefully at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, October 16, 2021, at his home.
He was born on March 6, 1944, in Champaign, Illinois, the son of Richard and Lois “Lucille” (Millage) Ambrose. Richard Duane went to seminary at the Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri, and received his Master of Divinity Theology. He received his Bachelor’s from Olivet College in Bourbonnais, Illinois. He worked as a minister for 46+ years and officially retired December 2019. He was a member of the Louisville United Methodist Church. He loved his faith, family, and sports. Richard Duane loved being around people, keeping up on current events, movies, music of all kinds especially from the 50’s and 60’s, watching High School sports, bowling, was an avid reader, and loved watching Jeopardy and Friday Night Lights.
He is survived by his wife Margaret “Marti” A. Moreland. They were married on August 7, 1965, in Eureka, Illinois. They enjoyed 56 years of marriage together. He is also survived by his children, Kimberly S. (Fred) Bourgeois, Greenville; Mark (Tona) Ambrose, Urbana; and Matthew T. (Jackquie M.) Ambrose, Olney. Grandchildren, Joel (Cortney) Miller, Otsego, MN; Hailey (John) Southerland, Tallassee, AL; Trevor Miller, Minnesota; Zachery Miller, Alabama; Ellerie Ambrose, Urbana; Isaac Ambrose (fiancée Madison Routh), Urbana. Richard Duane is also survived by his 2 sisters and 2 brothers; Danny Chris (Susan) Ambrose, Punta Gorda, FL; Diane Sue Ambrose Collins, Kyle, TX; John Charles (Rhonda) Ambrose, Buda, TX; Deborah Louise (Keith) Miller, Buda, TX; and several nieces and nephews.
Richard Duane was preceded in death by his parents and one infant son, Timothy Duane Ambrose.
Funeral services honoring the life of Richard Duane will be held at 4:00 p.m. Saturday, October 23, 2021 at the Louisville United Methodist Church in Louisville with pastor Mike Rucker officiating. There will be a small family commitment service on Sunday, October 24, 2021 @ 2:00 p.m. at Olio Township Cemetery, Eureka, Illinois. Visitation will be held on Saturday at the church where friends may call from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Pastors Aid Benefit Fund (PSA) or to Lincolnland Hospice.