Rev. Marilyn K. Dunten

PASTOR MARILYN KAY DUNTEN. 84, of Fort Wayne, Indiana is now celebrating and worshiping WITH JOY in the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was born on December 17, 1940, in Fort Wayne, Indiana and went to heaven on Saturday, January 25, 2025. She was the daughter of the late Merlyn (1912 -1997) and late OraLuLu Delancey (1915-1999). She grew up in a Christian home on a vegetable produce farm called DeLancey’s Fresh Vegetables off of McBeth Road on the southwest side of Fort Wayne. She graduated from Elmhurst High School in 1958. Marilyn met her late husband, David Paul Dunten through 4-H and they married on October 30, 1959 when David returned home on a short leave from the military.

Marilyn was called into ministry in 1997, after serving as a lay leader in her local Lake Chapel UMC Church. She became a minister and pastor of four beautiful churches including Barker’s Chapel UMC Ashley),; Associate Pastor at New Haven UMC (New Haven); Sr. Pastor at Lake Chapel UMC (Fort Wayne); and Sr. Pastor at Arcola UMC (Arcola).

Marilyn Dunten was chaplain at Lutheran Hospital and member of the Arcola Lions Club. She served as a devoted leader of the EMMAUS Walk of the Northern Indiana Community.

The Lord used her to guide many people in their faith journey leading many lives to Christ. She pastored marriages, devotion groups, youth camps, baptisms, communions, choirs and musicals, junior church and was an empowering speaker for many events and retreats. She loved music and was a big fan of old hymns, contemporary christian and country music. She loved to grow flowers and her yard was full of them.

Marilyn displayed leadership in other seasons of her life such as receiving top honors in 4-H (Allen County 4-H Queen in 1958), Co-founder of Dunten’s Durocs, and a successful craft business employing 30 employees called Marilyn’s Barnyard Boutique. Marilyn was the Secretary of the Indiana Duroc Association.

Marilyn is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Debbie A (Dunten) Krempel and Jeffery R Krempel of Fort Wayne; three sons, David Hunter Dunten and Gena (Newton) Dunten of Whitestown, Indiana; Rev. Darwin Paul Dunten and Polly (Clay) Dunten of Celina, OH; Dennis Scott Dunten and Jennifer Wayt-Dunten of Frankfort, IN; ten grandchildren and their spouses who she cherished and loved, Gregory (Heather), Jonathan (Donielle), and Kaleb (Olivia) Krempel; Stephanie (Ben) Sipprell, and Jessica (Marco) Carranza, Allison (Trevor) Kuney, Joanna (Tony) Gosser, and David (Stacy) Dunten; Anthony and Dani Dunten. She had 11 Great-Grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Norma Delancey of Waynedale, IN; her sister, Ora Lou (Martin) Miranda of Atlanta Georgia, and a brother, Charles (Bonnie) Delancey of Greenville, SC.

She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter in law, Jeannie (Heck) Dunten; a great grandchild, Caleb Gosser; and a nephew, Marty Miranda.

Services will be 11:00 am Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Covenant United Methodist Church, 10001 Coldwater Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana, with Rev. Chris Nunley officiating and Rev. Darwin Dunten Assisting. There will be visitation one hour prior to the service.

Visitation also from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, with a Memorial Service by the Arcola Lions Club at 7:45 pm, Friday, January 31, 2025, at D.O. McComb and Sons Funeral Homes - Pine Valley Park, 1320 East Dupont Road, Fort Wayne, IN.

Burial will be at the Huntertown Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Jeannie H. Dunten Endowment Fund, IMPACT 2818 Outdoor Ministries of the UM Churches of Indiana, or the North Indiana EMMAUS Community. Envelopes will be provided.