Richard Duis
May 24, 1924 – Oct. 9, 2011
Niles Daily Star, Published 7:24pm Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Richard John Duis, loving husband of Marilyn Geneva Duis for 60 years, passed away peacefully in his home on Sunday Oct. 9, 2011.
Born in Chicago May 24, 1924, to the late Richard John Duis Sr. and Mary Duis, Richard moved with his parents and older brother Verdan to the Niles area in 1936. World War II led to an early graduation from Niles High School, and Richard enlisted in the U.S. Army where his mechanical talents placed him as a radar repairman. Richard was honorably discharged at the end of the conflict.
“Dick” Duis was an independent and resourceful man who was well known for his skills as a master plumber and pipefitter while a member of Local 172, South Bend for more than 55 years. Buildings he assisted in constructing still stand throughout Michiana.
A man of many interests, Richard enjoyed blacksmithing, artistic painting, writing poetry, treasure hunting with his metal detector, gem and mineral collecting, firearms restoration, playing the piano, practicing the Russian and Spanish languages and most of all, scrapping and “Dumpster diving.”
A spiritual man, he was active throughout much of his adult life in the Niles Seventh Day Adventist Church where he could be found most Saturdays conducting Bible studies and singing anthems with his wife, Marilyn, his children and many close friends.
Richard is survived by his wife, Marilyn Geneva Duis, his daughter Gail Cheeseman, his sons David (Shirley) Duis, Daniel (Theresa) Duis, Randall (Lina) Duis and Andrew (Kimberley) Duis. He is also survived by 15 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Sherry.
A memorial service is planned for Sunday, Oct. 23, at 1 p.m. at the Westside Adventist Church at Fairview and Niles-Buchanan Road. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Westside Seventh-Day Adventist Church.