- Date Of Birth: March 7, 1935
- Date Of Death: March 31, 2020
- State: Michigan
H. Dewayne Aven, age 85, of Cassopolis, died peacefully Tuesday, March 31, 2020.
He was born March 7, 1935, in Abingdon, Virginia to Howard and Margie Aven.
He married Joyce Elaine Gilchrist on October 7, 1957 in Cassopolis, Michigan. After more than sixty-one years of marriage, she preceded him in death on November 12, 2018.
Dewayne moved to Cassopolis prior to seventh grade and met, Joyce Gilchrist, his bride-to-be at a church roller skating party. He participated in high school sports and learned his love of woodworking in shop class. Shortly after high school, he enlisted in the United States Army and served in Germany as a welder. Dewayne and Joyce traveled extensively in Europe during his three year tour. After his Honorable Discharge from the Army, they returned to Cassopolis to raise a family. He started Aven’s Dairy Service and served the community for almost twenty years. He then transitioned back into welding at K&M Manufacturing from 1980 to 2000. Dewayne was a skilled welder having worked on many of the sculptures in the area including the pieces in front of the building.
Dewayne had a deep love for his Savior Jesus Christ and shared his faith even until his last days at Healthwin. He and Joyce were vital members of the Cassopolis Church of God, Volinia Baptist Church and Community Church of Edwardsburg. He was active in softball as a coach, player, and spectator. Dewayne was a Sunday school leader, participated with Awana and held various church leadership positions.
Dewayne and Joyce were active in Cassopolis school sports for over fifty years. He played football and ran track in high school. They attended many games, mentored students and were Cassopolis’ number-one fans. He was an assistant coach for Girl’s Junior Varsity Softball. He chaperoned many dances and Joyce was the bookkeeper for Cassopolis Public Schools for over 15 years. They led and participated in the Class Reunions for the Class of 1955 and 1956.
Dewayne and Joyce cherished family and were devoted parents and grandparents. They attended every concert, church dedication, pageant, play, sporting event, parade, and high school and college graduation. He shared his love of woodworking by creating gifts and assisting with various home projects that will last a lifetime.
Dewayne’s joyful spirit and humor will be greatly missed by family and friends. He is survived by one daughter, Kerrie (Ronnie) Bass of Edwardsburg; two sons, Ken (Melinda) Aven of Edwardsburg, Kevin (Ann) Aven of Noblesville; two sisters, Martha Aven of Abingdon, Virginia, Eva Spears of Orlando, Florida; one brother, Johnny Aven of Abingdon, Virginia; seven grandchildren, Logan Aven, Jacob Aven, Griffin Aven, Beth (Leif) Werner, Chelsea (Nick) Yoder, Justina (Aloysius) Schmucker, Daniel Bass; eight great-grandchildren, Tristan Werner, Ronan Werner, Charlotte Yoder, Ava Yoder, Avan Schmucker, Aloysius Schmucker, Camden Schmucker, Madelyne Schmucker; and a host of nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, JoAnn Minnick.
