Aug. 23, 1938 — Dec. 16, 2014

Rev. Jack L. Duis, 76, of Niles, was called home to be with The Lord on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2014, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka, Indiana, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born to the late Henry and Myrtle (Timm) Duis in Niles, Michigan on Aug. 23, 1938.

Jack was in the first graduating class at the current Niles High School, class of 1956 and knew early on he was called to the ministry. After completing some further education at the Christian Center he began evangelizing and spreading the gospel, under the leadership of Rev. Lester Sumrall, while allowing God to use him in the healing ministry. His love for the Lord seemed fitting that he was ordained on Valentine’s Day.

On May 25, 1957 Jack married Betty Lou Shriner, they were married for many years until her passing. He then married Mary Dwyer Wixted on May 1, 2008, and they together continued to work side by side in the ministry.

Jack was employed for many years at Studebaker’s and Whirlpool Corporation. While Jack’s passion was to further the work of the Lord, he did have many other hobbies. He was an avid Chicago Cubs fan and known to cheer for Notre Dame every opportunity afforded to him. When time allowed he enjoyed the outdoors and often went deer hunting and fishing, all the while enjoying God’s handiwork in creation of nature. He also held a patent for the SAV-A-Trip mailbox indicator which was sold in many post offices throughout the state and was published in Popular Mechanics and also Mechanics Illustrated. Jack was a man of other talents as well; he authored “Miracles, Touched By God”, which he felt honored to have his published book residing at the Niles Public Library as well as countless others. Jack seen a lot of changes in his lifetime, he recalled missing the days when gasoline was nineteen cents per gallon. For the last six years, if you wanted to find Jack during Labor Day, one needed to travel to the Mackinac Bridge where he and Dee made an annual trip to walk across the bridge. Second only to his love for Christ was his love for his family, while Jack would not count them as a hobby, they were certainly what gave him much happiness. He and Dee cherished their time together holding hands, walking through Wal-mart everyday reaching their goal of 10,000 steps.

Preceding Jack in death are his parents, and his two brothers Henry Duis Jr. and Raymond Duis.

He is survived by his wife Mary “Dee” of Niles, his three sons; Rick (Susie) Duis of South Bend, Michael (Barbara) Duis of Niles, and Timothy (Amy) Duis of Mishawaka, his daughter Christina Duis-Hall of Edwardsburg, Mary’s sons; Dr. Christopher (Julie) Hall of Granger, Patrick Hall of Edwardsburg, and Sean (Alexandria) Hall of South Bend and Mary’s daughters; Erin Hall of South Bend, Colleen (Justin) Hutchings of Seattle, Washington and Kerri Hall of New York, New York. Jack will also be missed by his twelve grandchildren; Ricky, Angela, Crystal, Joshua (Jamie), Jason, Jessica, Eric, Sarah, Laura, Madison, Lyndsey and Jillian; Mary’s twelve grandchildren all of whom he loved very dearly as well as a host of great-grandchildren. His siblings Pauline Mumaw of Edwardsburg and Marjorie Rhude of Niles, and Donald (Geri) Duis of Niles will also hold the memory of Jack very near to their heart.

Services for Jack will be held on Friday December 19th, Brown Funeral Home and 3 pm with the Rev. Steve Sumrall officiating. A time of visitation will be held Friday, Dec. 19 at Brown Funeral Home beginning at 2 p.m.

His wife would like to thank the Doctors, nurses, and staff of St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Greater Niles Chiropractic, and Michiana Hematology Oncology for their care for and support of Jack in his recent months.

Jack was a gentle man that battled cancer with grace and courage. We will remember him for his faith in God, his humor and dedication.

Those wishing to make a memorial donation may do so in C/O Brown Funeral Home, where his family will have a tribute placed in honor of him along Riverfront Park in Niles.

Photos, condolences and memories can be left for Jack’s family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com or Facebook.com/BrownFuneralHomeNiles.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home.