Well-Known Pastor, International Evangelist and Spiritual Leader, Dr. Daniel Ankerberg, Goes to be With the Lord

Michael Ireland : Aug 31, 2008
ASSIST News Service

Pastor Dan was well-known in the Chicagoland area as a local church pastor, international evangelist, and spiritual leader to old and young for many years.

(Downers Grove, Illinois)—Dr. Daniel Ankerberg, who worked with Youth for Christ International as an associate of Billy Graham and Torrey Johnson, passed away following an illness at Fairview Baptist Home in Downers Grove, Illinois on Thursday evening, August 14, 2008.

According to an obituary notice posted online by the Hultgren Funeral Home of Wheaton, Illinois, Ankerberg was a four-year veteran of World War II. Ankerberg was in the 2nd Armored Division of 1st Army. He was involved in many important conflicts as well as the liberation of several concentration camps during his time in Service.

The obituary states that Ankerberg was also a chaplain's assistant during the war and assisted in the many burials of his closest friends and comrades while in that role. He was a lifelong member of Aaron Post of the American Legion and a true patriot and lover of his country. He will be buried at a family service with full military honors at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, Illinois.

Following his return to the states, Dr. Ankerberg was in continuous full-time Christian Service until his death. Pastor Dan was well-known in the Chicagoland area as a local church pastor, international evangelist, and spiritual leader to old and young for many years. He worked with Youth for Christ International as an associate of Billy Graham and Torrey Johnson, as well as the founder and director of the Chicago organization Hi-C, which ministered to thousands of young people across Chicago.

The online obituary says that Dr. Ankerberg traveled as the executive director of the Chicago Tract Society. Following that service, Pastor Dan was the Christian Education Director of the Midwest Baptist Conference. His love for youth and camping led him to effectively work for the expansion and diversification of the entire Baptist General Conference (BGC) camping ministry located then at Camp Hickory in Round Lake, Illinois.

Dr. Ankerberg pastored the Hillside Baptist Church for 13 years. The church experienced great growth during his tenure and a large building program was required to accommodate the many people who came to hear him speak. Pastor Dan was also a Police commissioner of the town of Hillside, as well as being on numerous community boards.

The obituary says Dr. Ankerberg led the Teen Mission organization for many years sponsoring among other outreaches, the monthly roller skate meeting held at the Elm Skating Rink. Many teens and youth of all ages have been reached through the many and varied ministries he carried out. He served until the end of his life with Christian Concern, a ministry designed to reach those not usually reached by other ministries, including those in nursing homes and hospitals.

His faithful and loving wife, Joyce (Dahlberg) Ankerberg, as well as his children, Dr. William Ankerberg, Senior pastor of the Whittier Area Community Church in Whittier, California, and wife Arlie, daughter Joanne McKendrick and husband, Robert of Villa Park, Illinois, and daughter Carol Johnson and her husband Zane of Odebolt, Iowa along with 8 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren and countless friends and other relatives are left to cherish the wonderful memory of Pastor Dan's godly life and service for God and country.