Obituary of Jeffrey Elliott Filkins

    Jeffrey Elliott Filkins passed away suddenly at his home September 19, 2017. He was born August 26, 1959 in Sioux City, IA to Melvin and Weymouth (Jones) Filkins. He graduated from Lewis Central High School, Council Bluffs, IA, in 1978, where he loved vocal music and drama. Jeff received his bachelors and masters degrees in geology from Iowa State University at Ames, IA, where he continued with his vocal music as a member of the ISU Singers. He met the love of his life, Nancy Johnson, while they were on a geology research field trip in Wyoming, and they were married August 17, 1985. Jeff was a proud father to Jonathan, Hannah and Stephanie and the family enjoyed camping, hiking, biking and almost all outdoor activities together. Jeff packed a lot of living, love and fun into his too-short life, and was thrilled when he became a grandfather earlier this year. 
    After working many years as a geochemist, Jeff followed his heart to pursue his lifelong calling to ministry, and received his Masters of Divinity in May 2004. He was called to pastor the Hartley Trinity United Church of Christ in November of that year, and loved serving his congregation. He also enjoyed serving over 10 years as an EMT with the Hartley Volunteer Ambulance Service. Jeff was a Mason and member of the Lions Club.
    He was preceded in death by his parents; Nancy's parents, Faith and Roland Johnson; and other beloved family members.
    Survivors include his wife of 32 years, Nancy; son, Jonathan and his wife, Sarah, of Missoula, MT; daughter, Hannah Taylor and her husband, Travis, of Ankeny, IA; daughter, Stephanie, of Ames, IA and Missoula, MT; grandson, Mason Taylor; sisters: Cheryl Keithley and husband, Judd, of Sun City, AZ, and Cindi Keithley and husband, Dennis, of Council Bluffs, IA; brother, Greg Filkins, of Carter Lake, IA; uncle, Dale Filkins, of Fremont, NE; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of good friends. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials given in honor of Rev. Filkins
will be left to the family's discretion.

Celebration of Life

Rev. Jeffrey E. Filkins

Born ~ August 26, 1959
Died ~ September 19, 2017
Age ~ 58 years    23 days

FUNERAL SERVICE

Friday, September 22, 2017  ~  11:00 a.m.
Trinity United Church of Christ
Hartley, Iowa

Officiating ~ Rev. Steven Jewett
Organist ~ Julie Back

Musical Tribute
Ceolmhor
"Paradise"
"You Can Close Your Eyes"
"Teach Your Children"

Congregational Singing
Processional ~ "On Eagle's Wings"
                         "In All Our Living"
                         "The Lord's Prayer"
Recessional ~ "Peace I Leave With You, My Friend"

Pallbearers
Rodney Ahrenstorff    Pam Sease    Mac Kluch    Ray Starr
Liz Norgaard    Mari Duncan    Gale Vetter    Tom Hengeveld
Val Moermond    Jake Moermond    Brian Myers    Skylar Towne

Honorary Pallbearers
All of Jeff's beloved nieces and nephews

Ushers 
Dave Hennings  ~  Norb Groff

Interment
A private family burial will take place at a later date.