Doug grew up in Bennet, Nebraska. He enjoyed small town living. As a young man he helped Elmer his neighbor with cleaning chicken hutches and collecting eggs. Doug also delivered newspapers to the locals. On Saturday evenings he would watch the movie that was being shown on main street.
Doug attended Bennet Elementary and later graduated from Palmyra High School. In high school he served as student manager for the boys’ basketball team. He also participated in 4-H winning ribbons at the county fair.
Following graduation Doug went to work for Parker Hannifin as a machinist. Doug took great pride in making good parts. Both of his brothers worked there so he was happy to see them every day. He worked at Parker Hannifin for 44 years.
Doug’s first love was Julie Seeman. They married and built a house in Palmyra, Nebraska. Doug and Julie enjoyed going to movies and spent time going to garage sales. In 1991 Julie died of pancreatic cancer.
A year later Doug married Charlynn Mathers on July 25, 1992. Doug and Charlynn did not have any children. They did host seven exchange students from Germany, Austria, and Mexico. Doug enjoyed talking and joking with the kids. Doug was very touched when he found out that Christian Rommel, one of the exchange students, had named his son after him.
Doug was very community oriented and served on the planning and zoning committee for 25 years for the village of Palmyra. He also took great pride in serving on the board of education for District OR-1 for nearly 20 years. Doug’s top priority was to make sure the students of District OR-1 received the very best education possible.
Doug and Charlynn took several trips together. They enjoyed traveling by Amtrak to California with Stanley and Susan Church. In 2012 Doug and Charlynn traveled with Stanley and Susan Church and Steve and Sharla Broening to Alaska. Every year Doug and Charlynn went to Ponca State Park to enjoy the annual family reunion.
In 2017 Doug began having health problems. On October 30, 2022, Doug passed away in the home he had built.
Family members include his wife, Charlynn; brothers Stanley and Brooks Church; numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by his parents and first wife Julie Church.
Funeral Service: 10:00 a.mm. Friday (11-4-22) Bennet Community Church, 350 Monroe Street, Bennet, NE. Burial in Bennet Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Roper and Sons Midtown Chapel, 4300 ‘O’ Street.
Memorials to Palmyra Fire and Rescue Squad.