Douglas Paul Stutz

Douglas Paul Stutz, 55, passed away Sunday, November 23, 2014 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph, MI. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. John’s Catholic Church located at 600 Columbus Ave, Benton Harbor, MI at 11:00 AM Saturday, November 29, 2014, with Most Reverend Bishop Paul J. Bradley, Very Reverend Father William J. Jacobs, Jr., Reverend Father Thomas McNally, and Reverend Father James Morris officiating. Friends may visit with the family on Friday, November 28, 2014 at Starks and Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph MI from 4:00PM to 7:00 PM.  Burial will be immediately following the service at Calvary Cemetery at 1736 Napier Ave., Benton Harbor MI.  Memorials may be made to the family.  Those wishing to share a memory of Doug may sign Doug’s memory book at www.starks-menchinger.com. Doug was born September 1, 1959 in Hastings, Michigan to Donald and Linda (Engle) Stutz. He married Theresa Marie Catherine Watts, the love of his life, whom he always called his princess and introduced as his bride, on September 3, 1988 at Ideal Park in Wyoming, Michigan. This marriage was then blessed April 24, 1992 at St. John’s Catholic Church with Reverend Father David Adams officiating.  After attending Western Michigan University, he specialized in truck part sales for Michigan Kenworth – Grand Rapids from 1982 to 1995 and Central Michigan Kenworth -Lansing from 1995 to the present. Doug was a Knight in the Knights of Columbus Immaculate Heart of Mary Council 1120, Fourth Knight of Father’s Baroux Assembly Council 0476,  St. John and St. Bernard Parish Eucharistic Minister, the Diaconate Program of Kalamazoo Diocese, Spiritual father to numerous confirmation and RCIA candidates, Lakeland Chaplain. He also was a Lake Michigan Hills Golf League member and Coached Softball and Basketball and a lifelong Lion’s fan and golfer. Doug possessed a very generous spirit and was devoted to his wife and children. Doug and Theresa, selflessly dedicated their lives for many years with numerous charitable organizations, most important to them was their work as foster parents within the community guiding, mentoring, and loving many children. Doug is survived by his wife, Theresa (nee Watts), Children; Michael Paul (Lisa Frayer) Stutz of Texas, Lynda Marie (David) Miller-Vandenburg of Berrien Springs, Matthew Douglas Stutz and Nicole Kennedy of Mainz, Germany, Elizabeth Kathleen “Bethy” Miller-Sekellick and her fiancé Ryan Taylor of Niles, Kaylene Marie (Alex) Stutz-Lucker of Stevensville, Mark Douglas Stutz, Kaitlyn “Katie” Marie Stutz and M. Cynthia “Cindy” Rose Stutz all of Benton Harbor. Grandchildren; Alex, Cecilia, Aiden, Audrey, Nadia, Devin, Olivia, Genevieve, Colby, Trent and Mackenzie Rose. Parents; Donald and Linda Stutz, Sister; Michele Lynn (Charles) Laninga of Caledonia, MI, In-Laws; William “Bill” and Winifred “Winn” Watts of St. Joseph, MI, cherished Aunt Joanna “Joey” Purdy of Traverse City, and Daughter-In-Law; Jana Stutz of Benton Harbor, MI. These along with extended family and friends too numerous to mention.  He was preceded in death by his children; Jesse P. Miller, Kara Anne Miller, Claire Catherine-Therese’ Stutz, Donald Martin Stutz, Frances John Paul Stutz I and Frances John Paul Stutz II.