Corey Askren

Corey Eugene Askren, age 57 years of Niles, Michigan died at 12:45 a.m. on Thursday, June 13, 2013 at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles, unexpectedly, but of natural causes.

He was born on August 13, 1955 in Atchison, Kansas to Donald Eugene and Margaret Elizabeth (Helm) Askren. He was graduated from South Bend Riley High School, and has lived in Niles since 1987. He was a certified nurse assistant, employed at several area nursing homes, and for the past seven years has been employed at the Wal-Mart store in Niles.

Corey was a devout Christian, and a member of the Liberty Chapel Pentecostal Church in Dowagiac where he also assisted with the Sunday School. He was well-known as a camouflage artist, freehand painting the traditional green pattern on a great variety of items including walking sticks and staffs. He also made natural finish walking sticks and staffs, which always included woodburned scripture in their design. His artistry included music, as a songwriter and guitarist. He was a prolific e-bay buyer and seller, and will be well remembered for his sense of humor and sarcasm.

On June 1, 2002 in Leesburg, Indiana he was married to Amber Rhea Funderburk, with her father officiating.

He is survived by his wife, Amber Askren, and by sons and daughters, Erin (& Adam) Haviland of Comstock Park, Michigan, Ariel “Bubba” (& Vanessa) Askren of Bristol, Indiana, Jason (& Tanya) Holendersky of South Bend, Angela (& Todd) Brooke of Warsaw, Indiana, and Roy (& Janice) King of Elkhart, Indiana; thirteen grandchildren and one great-granddaughter; and by Corey’s mother, Margaret Askren of Niles, sister, Cynthia (& Dick) Harrelson of Papua, New Guinea, and brothers, David (& Patty) Askren of Suffolk, Virginia, and Kelly (& Ruth) Askren of Vandalia, Michigan; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Miah Lanee King who died at birth.

Services for Corey E. Askren will be at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18, 2013 at the Liberty Chapel Pentecostal Church in Dowagiac with Pastor Mark N. Saylor of the church officiating. The family will receive relatives and friends at the church beginning at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday.

Contributions in memory of Corey may be made to the donor’s choice. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

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