Jan. 24, 1956 — Sept. 2, 2014

Wayne J. DeMarco, 58, of Dowagiac, passed away at his residence, surrounded by his family, on Tuesday evening, Sept. 2, 2014, following a lengthy illness.

He was born in Norfolk, Virginia the son of Earl W. and Margaret (Sellger) Nixon.

Wayne graduated from Milton Hershey School for Boys in Pennsylvania and worked for many years as a corrections officer within the Pennsylvania State Prisons. On November 24, 1999 he married Sharon M. Roberts-Congdon at a ceremony in Dowagiac. Wayne enjoyed online gaming- making many friends internationally. He and his wife Sharon also liked camping, especially at Goff Lake Campground in Marcellus where they made countless friendships through the years. Wayne also loved time spent with family, especially his grandchildren, and cooking holiday dinners.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two stepfathers, Leo DeMarco and Ted Platt as well as a brother George DeMarco.

Wayne is survived by his loving wife, Sharon DeMarco of Dowagiac; two daughters, Amber DeMarco of Allentown, Pennsylvania and Cara DeMarco of Waymart, Pennsylvania; two stepsons, Bob (Leah) Sovine of Dowagiac and Scott (Erin) Congdon of Japan; four grandchildren; a brother, Hugo (Shelly) DeMarco of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania; three sisters, Margaret (Jim) Utter of Bangor, Pennsylvania, Susan (Ron) Strunk Jr. of Analomink, Pennsylvania, and Theresa Nixon of Belhaven, North Carolina; as well as 7 nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014 at 2 p.m. at Mission Hills Memorial Chapel in Niles with a time of visitation beginning one hour prior.

Memorial contributions may be made to Sharon DeMarco at PO Box 4, Dowagiac, MI 49047.

Those wishing to leave a message for the family, upload a photo of Wayne or send their condolences may do so at our website at

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Niles.

www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com or on our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/BrownFuneralHomeNiles.