Daniel Jeran

Daniel Jeran, 81, went to be with his heavenly Father on Monday, April 20, 2015 at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne, Indiana.  Dr. Jeran was born July 28, 1933 in Upland, California a son of Daniel and Ilona (Vereb) Jeran.    He married Miriam Allen on August 26, 1955 in Dallas Center, Iowa.  She survives.  He is also mourned by his sons,  D. Curtis Jeran of Tunis, Tunisia; Michael A. Jeran, Kansas City, Missouri;  Jonathan M. Jeran (Jill) Fort Wayne, Indiana; and his daughter, Donna Jeran Wilcox (Allen) of San Antonio, Texas.

Dr. Jeran earned his bachelor’s degree in 1955 from Upland College, Upland, California, received his masters degree from Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa in 1959 and completed his Doctorate of Education in 1973 from The University of Nebraska.

As a young man he taught elementary school in Des Moines, Iowa and Colorado Springs, Colorado where he became a principal.  In 1976 he joined the faculty at Azusa University, Azusa, California.  He became chair of the education department at Taylor University in 1980 and in 1991 joined the faculty at Anderson University from which he retired.

Dr. Jeran was inducted into the 2007 Hall of Fame by the Association of Teacher Educators, Indiana.  He served as President and Executive Secretary of the Indiana Association of Colleges for Teacher Education.  He also served on 16 National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education Board of Examiner teams as chair or assistant chair.  He was appointed by then governor Evan Bayh to Indiana Education Certification and Licensing Commission 1989-1991.

While at Taylor University, Dan was instrumental in organizing the Christian College Teacher Education Coordinating Council for the purpose of providing cross cultural training for those students who have selected an overseas student teaching placement.

Wherever Dan lived, he became active in his church serving in many capacities.  He was a man who loved children and often stated, “I was born to be a grandfather.”   Daniel loved his family, loved any child he saw, and was a true follower of Jesus Christ.  With all his achievements his biggest accomplishment was raising good sons and daughter.

Other surviving relatives include his grandchildren: Joseph (Lauren) Wilcox, Marissa Wilcox (John) Maselli, Evan Wilcox, Niles Jeran, Jordan (Alexa) Jeran, Jacob Jeran and Janae Jeran, his brother, Jerry Jeran, and a sister, Adel Jeran. 

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by one sister, Edith Sisson.

Visitation and funeral services will be Thursday, April 23, 2015 at South Meridian Church of God, 2402 Meridian Street, Anderson, Indiana 46016.  

Visitation will be from 12:00-2:00pm with the funeral service beginning at 2:00pm.  Pastor Ed Hyatt will officiate the funeral service. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Interaction International, PO Box 863, Wheaton, IL or Children of Promise, 1201 East 5th Street, Suite 10, Anderson, IN 46018.

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