Greg Ankeney Obituary

Greg Ankeney of Denton, TX and New Sharon, IA passed away on June 1st, 2025 at the age of 80. Graveside services will be held will begin at 11:00 am Saturday, June 21, 2025 at the Friends Cemetery in New Sharon. A Luncheon/Visitation will follow the service at the New Sharon City Park Building (the old Fire Station). Holland-Coble Funeral Home of New Sharon is in charge of local arrangements.
Greg was born in New Sharon, Iowa on August 26th, 1944 to John and Genevieve Ankeney. He grew up with his sister Shari, embracing small town values - strong work ethic, focus on family and a foundation of faith. A talented athlete, Greg lettered in four sports during high school and later attended the University of Iowa where he earned a business degree, participated in ROTC and met his future wife, LaVonne, the love of his life.
Greg married LaVonne on August 11th, 1968, almost a year into his service in the US Army. Greg served in the Army's Air Defense Artillery Branch as a Missile Unit Commander achieving the rank of First Lieutenant. He received the National Service Defense Medal and an Army Commendation Medal before his honorable discharge in 1969. Before Greg and LaVonne started a family, he started a career with Noxell, later Procter & Gamble, where he held several Sales leadership positions. Greg helped shape the careers of many Sales professionals during his successful 35-year career.
Greg and LaVonne raised 4 boys; he devoted time, energy and love to all of them until his passing. Greg retired from Procter & Gamble in 2004, traveled the world with LaVonne, spent summers in Iowa, golfed as much as possible and loved spending time with each of his 9 grandchildren. He was a member of Bible Study 101 at FUMC Denton for nearly 40 years, teaching the class with LaVonne for 33 of those years. He also served on the Salvation Army board for 20 years, including a tenure as board president, and held numerous church leadership roles.
Greg loved golfing with his friends and family, especially with his brother-in-law Bill Ahlbrecht. He recorded 2 holes in one, the first at age 13 and the second a year after his stroke in 2010. Greg had many friends; he never met a stranger. He was a role model father as well as a loving and devoted husband to LaVonne for nearly 57 years. Most of all, he was a man of remarkable faith.
Greg is preceded in death by his parents John and Genevieve Ankeney. He is survived by his wife LaVonne Ankeney; his son John Ankeney, John's wife Melissa and their 2 girls, Andi and Quinn; his son Paul Ankeney, Paul's wife Malissa and their 2 boys, Andrew and Adam; William Ankeney, William's wife Jillian and their 2 boys, Liam and Harrison; Gary Ankeney and his 3 children Avis, Arlo and Jude; his sister, Shari Ahlbrecht and her husband Bill.
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