Duane R. Grossett

Duane R. Grossett, age 86 of Spring Lake, MI, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, September 9, 2021. He was born on January 4, 1935 in Pittsburgh, PA, to Russell and Bessie (Oestereich) Grossett.

Duane began his studies at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, interrupted by his Army enlistment. He served in the US Army from 1954 to 1956, and was stationed in Sweden and Germany. Duane returned home and finished his Industrial Management degree from Carnegie Mellon University in 1959. He was also a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program.

In January of 1960, Duane married the love of his life, Mary Bergan, and then joined Parker-Hannifin Corporation in Cleveland, OH as General Manager of their Brass Products Division. Later, he accepted a position at Thyssen-Bornemisza Group, headquartered in Southfield, MI, which included the extruded metals plant in Belding, MI. Duane went on to join Mueller Brass in  Port Huron, then moved to EASCO Aluminum in Youngstown, OH to serve as President and CEO. He then joined Chase Brass and Copper in Montpelier, OH where he served as President and COO until his retirement in 2000.

Duane was active in his Spring Lake/Grand Haven community and enjoyed delivering Meals on Wheels to homebound residents for many years. He was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Muskegon, and a strong supporter of the Wounded Warrior Project.

Woodworking was a special skill he possessed. He was a meticulous craftsman, and loved the challenge of designing a piece of furniture to meet a special need. All the members of his family have treasured mementoes of this talent.

Duane loved his family unequivocally. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Mary; his children, James R. (Rebecca) Grossett, Grosse Pointe Park, MI, Barbara (Michael) Stapleton, Ada MI, Dr. Robert Grossett, Chicago IL; grandchildren, Elizabeth (Nate) Schwarze, Grosse Pointe, MI, Jacob Grossett, Grosse Pointe Park, MI, Dr. Abigail (Justin) Gizinski, Midland MI, Catherine Stapleton, Ada MI, and Allyson Stapleton, Ada MI; and two precious great-grandchildren, Henry and Hunter Schwarze, Grosse Pointe, MI. Also surviving are a sister, Dianne Gustafson of Spring Lake, MI; two brothers, William G. Grossett (Diane) of Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, and Donald L. Grossett (LouAnn) of Indianapolis, IN; and two sisters-in-law, Evelyn (Merle) Meeder of Bluffton, SC and Claire Hughes of Pittsburgh, PA.

The Memorial Service for Duane will take place at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, September 13, 2021 at Klaassen Family Funeral Home with Rev. Eileen B. Stoffan officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Wounded Warrior Project or St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Muskegon. 

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