Douglas Allen Tiefenbach

Douglas Allen Tiefenbach, 64, of Stevensville, passed away on Monday morning, March 31, 2008, at home with his family by his side. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Friday on April 4, 2008 at 11:00 A.M. at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 404 E. Glenlord Rd; St. Joseph, MI. Pastor Carl Pagel will officiate the funeral service and Vicar David Rosenau will officiate the committal. Burial will be at Hickory Bluff Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be Thursday from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to University of Chicago Medical Center c/o Heart and Lung Transplant or Lakeland Hospice. Friends may send the family a condolence message or sign the guest book on-line at www.starks-menchinger.com. Douglas was born to Leonard and Lydia (Krieger) Tiefenbach on October 4, 1943 in St. Joseph, MI. On April 6, 1968, he married Jacqueline (Forestieri) in Stevensville, MI. Together, they raised 2 sons Jeffrey and Anthony. Douglas started his law enforcement career with the Benton Harbor Police Department before joining the Berrien County Sheriffs Department. At Berrien County he worked his way through the ranks to become Chief Deputy and eventually retired in 2001 after over 35 years of police work. Douglas, also, participated in founding the Berrien Count Special Weapons Assault Team (S.W.A.T.), which he commanded for 25 years. He was a lifetime member of the F.O.P. 96 Lodge in St. Joseph. He was an avid deer hunter, fisherman and enjoyed cooking. Douglas loved spending time with his family and friends. Douglas is survived by his loving wife of nearly 40 years, Jacqueline; by his children, Jeffrey (Julie) of Stevensville, MI and Anthony (Rebecca) Tiefenbach of Cincinnati, Ohio; his grandchildren, Tyler, Jamie, Savannah, Adam, and Hayden as well as one grandchild on the way; his brother David (Bonnie) Tiefenbach of Stevensville and sister Joy (Michael) Hartman of Paw Paw, MI; Sister-in-laws, Mary Forestieri of Eugene, OR and Gina Forestieri of Phoenix, AZ; Nephews, Todd (Debbie) and Scott (Sarah) Tiefenbach; Michael and Matthew Hartman; Ryan, Zachary, and Jason Scott; one niece, Gabrelia Scott; special friend, Larry Bybee; and his special companion, Buck. He was preceded in death by his parents Leonard and Lydia (Krieger) Tiefenbach.