Asmus, Duane E.

Duane E. Asmus

Aug. 13, 1926 – Feb. 10, 1999

      Mr. Duane E. Asmus, 72, of 1415 Sioux Trail, Niles, Mich., died following an extended illness at 3:35 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 10, at his home.

     Mr. Asmus was born on Aug. 13, 1926 in Niles, to DeVerne and Ella (Villwock) Asmus, and had lived in Niles all of his life.

     He was retired in 1981 from the City of Niles, having served more than 24 years as a firefighter.  He had also been employed for 22 years by the Niles community Schools as a bus driver, and had been employed for the past seven years as the school crossing guard at Sarka Lane and Chicago Road.

     He was a lifelong member of Saint John’s United Church of Christ, Niles, where he had served on many boards and in many offices.   He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the United States Army, and was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose, Lodge 449, Buchanan, MI.  He enjoyed camping and bird watching, but his greatest interest was his grandchildren.

     On Oct. 21, 1950, in Saint John’s Church, he was married to the former Lois Jane Siebert, who survives.

     He is also survived by their children and their families; a son, Garry Duane and Sandy Asmus of Niles, and their sons, Brian and James; a son, Steven Edward and Kathy Asmus of Vandalia and their children, Edward, Amy, Matthew and Kristin; and daughter, Sue Ann and Bart Benjamin of Niles and their children, Bradley and Anna.

     Funeral services for Duane E. Asmus will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 13 in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with Rev. Al Bastin of Saint John’s United church of Christ officiating. Committal services will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, followed by the veteran’s flag presentation by American Legion Acting Commander Harry Roberts.

     Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today in the funeral home. An honor guard of the Niles City Fire Department will serve at the visitation and funeral.

     Contributions in memory of Mr. Asmus may be made to Saint John’s United Church of Christ or to Hospice at home.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown.