ILene Elizabeth Douce
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ILene Elizabeth (Mosher) Douce, 94, of Columbia, Missouri, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on November 19, 2022, peacefully surrounded by her family. ILene was born to Carl C. and Stella E. Mosher on November 25, 1927, on their farm in
Cardington, Ohio. She graduated from Cardington High School, then Asbury College, where she met William (Bill) F. Douce. They married on June 3, 1949, in Cardington. After Bill finished medical school and got his license, they joined OMS as missionaries and settled in the town of Saraguro, Ecuador as medical missionaries and church planters. They built a church, and clinic where ILene assisted Bill as his nurse for over 45 years during which they had five children. ILene had a passion for working with women and children in ministry and evangelism, both in Ecuador and in their home church, The Chapel, EFC, Saint Joseph, Michigan. After serving on the mission field, they returned to Berrien Springs, Michigan where ILene and Bill continued to serve others. ILene relocated to Columbia, Missouri to live in her home beside more extended family, in 2020.
ILene is survived by four children: Grace (Tim) Cherri, Janet (Ken) Wunderlich, Philip (Debbie) Douce, Charles (Daisy) Douce; 15 grandchildren; and 31 great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 69 years, Dr. William F. Douce, D.O., daughter Mary and (Ron) Duryea, great Grandson Ronan Duryea, parents, two sisters, and brother. ILene will be greatly missed.
Funeral Service at Christian Fellowship Church, Columbia, MO. December 3, Visitation 1 p.m., Service to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to: Casa Gabriel, ministry for street boys:
https://www.onecollective.org/give
-Designate “ESME”
Or
Dr William F. Douce, Saraguro Scholarship Fund:
https://www.onemissionsociety.org/give/Saraguro-scholarships
Visits: 5
Sam and I have fond memories of your parents from our early time in Cuenca, Ecuador…..1966-1972. They would drive up from Saraguro for supplies and rest. They would stay in our Mission Home there and were our mentors giving us much encouragement, as we were in our early 20s with 2 small daughters, Denise and Dawn…..4 and 2 when we arrived to work at Bilingual School.
We love to tell our stories about our visits to their home in Saraguro. We were in awe of the medical mission and love they radiated to all with whom they came in contact. One visit our daughter, Dawn had a playful encounter with the family pet monkey and we have hilarious movie of your Dad encouraging her to become friends with that sassy pet.
Another fond memory is our hike to the marble mining site with some of your family members, as well as our 2 small daughters.
Crossing the creek was quite an adventure and, then when we arrived at the mining site, I, Jeanette was overwhelmed by the beauty of the raw hunks of marble that several men were working by hand to extract. They offered to send some rocks with me of which I enjoy to this day after sending them out for crafting into beautiful large bowls which hold tight my memories of Saraguro.
Another fond memory is a chance meeting in the Houston Airport…..we were both headed to Ecuador to renew friendships there and overhead Bill’s voice in the waiting to board area. One of God’s special blessings after many years of missing them.
The last meeting was in Berrien Springs when we in the area, looked them up and enjoyed your Mom’s hospitality while we chatted and then, attended church with them…..grateful are we for these memories of dear, dear friends.
Sorry for your loss, sorry we cannot attend the service you will all be in our thoughts and prayers.
Jeanette and Sam Douglass
PS If anyone of you know any thing about the whereabouts of Billy Miller III, we would appreciate his contact information.
sndjld@comcast.net or 815 674 8392 Jeanette or 815 674 8393 Sam
Douce children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren – our thoughts and prayers are with you! And we are so sorry for your loss. We love you and remember with you the love that Mama Douce poured out to everyone she met. She will be missed.
Love,
Steve, Jenn, Kaitlyn, and Riley
Psalm 116:15 “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.” I know all of you miss your mother, grandmother, and great grandmother very much. Take heart for she is in the presence of the One Who made heaven and earth. The One Who stooped so low to die for our sins and then rose again! God Bless all of you!