Duane "Shane" Schirmer's Obituary
Duane “Shane” Schirmer
Duane Schirmer passed away peacefully at home in El Cajon on September 24, 2014 after a long, valiant fight against throat then lung cancer. He leaves behind his loving wife Gloria Ocampo Schirmer, sons Duane, Russell and Benjamin, brother Carl, step-son Rene Ocampo, 5 grandchildren, 3 great-grandkids and a long list of friends.
Duane, known as “Shane,” was born August 6, 1933 in Muncie, IN to Carl and Irene Schirmer. As he grew up, frequent moves in search of a better climate for his father’s arthritis required him to quickly adapt to new places and people. He learned how to put people at ease and make them laugh. The same severe arthritis attacked Shane’s joints while a teen, causing him constant pain for the rest of his life, but he never allowed it to dampen his sense of humor. In fact, he used the strange gait it gave him as a comedy effect.
A 1951 graduate of Grossmont High School, he enlisted in the Army in 1952, shortly before the Korean War ended. He returned to El Cajon and attended college as an art student before starting at Channel 8 TV in the prop department. His wit, sense of humor and acting ability soon landed him as the comedy relief on the Sun Up San Diego morning show. He worked with Bob Mills, Bob Dale, Raquel Welch when she was a weather girl, Betty White, Regis Philbin, Alan Muir, Mel Knoepp and many others. He performed with guests such as Jane Mansfield, Danny Kaye, Gregory Peck and Billy Graham. His acrobatic comedy skits, enjoyed by young and old, became so popular he was given his own morning show for kids. Some of his skits can be found by an Internet search for “Shane In Wonderland.” He moved to Wisconsin and spent a number of years managing multiple Northwestern TV and radio stations. Upon returning to San Diego, he was involved in the startup and operation of several small businesses and ended his working life as a Funeral Director at Greenwood and Clairemont Mortuary.
There will be a viewing at Clairemont Mortuary from 4-8pm on Sunday, October 5 and a service there at noon Monday, October 6 prior to burial at Miramar National Cemetery at 2pm. His family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Arthritis Foundation or Cancer Society.
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