Hellwig, Duane

Duane Hellwig, of Niles
Sept. 7, 1928 — June 18, 2017

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:33 am Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Duane C. Hellwig, 88, passed away at 4 a.m. Sunday, June 18, 2107, in his home, surrounded by his loving family.

Duane was born Sept. 7, 1928, in St. Joseph, to the late Clarence and Georgia (Slavicek) Hellwig.

Duane Hellwig

Duane was preceded in death by a daughter, Toni Barbee, and a sister, Bonnie (Bruce) Fletcher.

On Oct. 17, 1960, in Piggott, Arkansas, Duane married Elizabeth (Ward).

She survives along with children, Teresa (Courtney) Glover, Trica (Ralph) Ojeda, Duane Jr. (Hope) Hellwig, Doreen (Jeff) Whittaker and Steven (Cheryl) Hellwig; 19 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and sisters Donna (Carl) Newsom, Sally Newman and Nancy Atkinson.

Duane was a tool and die maker and retired from Clark Equipment Company in 1982. He later he worked at Sears, Michiana Christian Embassy and Meijer. He Enjoyed making golf clubs, traveling with his wife and family gatherings. He was the oldest registered freshman at Southwestern Michigan College.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 21, 2017, at Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 E. Main St., Niles. A funeral service will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 22, 2017, at Michiana Christian Embassy, 1922 E. Main St., Niles, where family and friends may gather for an hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Condolences for the family may be made at halbritterfunerals.com.