Sept. 27, 1928 — May 23, 2017

Delbert “Del” Duane Lauver, 88, of Niles, passed away suddenly Tuesday, May 23, 2017, surrounded by his loving family.

Del was born Sept. 27, 1928, in Buchanan, the son of H. Leo and Laura Lauver.

Del graduated from Green Township, Indiana, with the class of 1946. After high school, he served in the U.S. Navy for two years.

On June 4, 1949, Del married Julia Lichtenbarger at Sumption Prairie United Methodist Church in South Bend, Indiana, enjoying 69 years of marriage.

Del worked for Bendix/AlliedSignal as a lab technician for more than 40 years. He retired in 1990.

In his retirement, Del became known as the “Old Lawnmower Man” and ran a small engine repair shop out of his garage in Niles. Del was loved by his community. Above all, Del was loved by his family. He will be dearly missed.

Surviving Del are his soulmate, Julia Lauver; son Terry Leo Lauver and his wife, Lora; daughter-in-law Cindi Lauver; grandchildren Vicki (Karl) Therrian, David Lauver, Josef (Erin) Lauver, Jakob (Abbey) Lauver and Chance (Diedre) Lauver; and great-grandchildren Tory, Zachary and Paige Lauver.

Preceding Del in death were his parents, sister Wanda Kane and son Timothy Lauver.

Per Del’s request, cremation has taken place and there is no service are planned.

Arrangements have been handled by Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 E. Main St., Niles.

Donations may be made in his honor to the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 1848 Longmont, CO 80502.

Condolences for Del’s family may be made at halbritterfunerals.com.