Douglas R. Felland

Dr. Douglas R. Felland, 69, of St. Joseph, passed away Sunday, May 2, 2010 at The Willows. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, May 5, 2010 at St. Joseph First United Methodist Church, 3003 Leco Ct., St. Joseph, with Pastor Wade Panse officiating. Friends may visit from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Tuesday, May 4, 2010 at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to St. Joseph First United Methodist Church, Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation and Hospice at Home.. Those wishing to sing the memory book online may do so at www.stark-menchinger.com. Doug was born in Sparta, WI, on November 9, 1940 and graduated from Sparta High School. He attended the University of Wisconsin – Madison and graduated from Marquette Dental School in 1965. Doug married Judy Herrman on July 17, 1965. He was an Air Force Lieutenant from 1965-1967. He practiced dentistry in St. Joseph from 1967-1980. Due to injuries in 1980 from a semi-car accident, Doug lived the rest of his life as a paraplegic. Doug was a member of the St. Joseph First United Methodist Church. He was a past president of Lakeland Dental Society and Easter Seals in Berrien County. He was chairman of the first Special Olympics held in Berrien County. He was a volunteer dentist several years at Berrien County Intermediate School. Doug enjoyed bridge and was a Life Master. He often enjoyed viewing Lake Michigan. Doug bore his disability with dignity and never let it define his outlook on life. He was a kind, gentle man, loving husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Judy; his daughter, Stacy (Dan) Burton, granddaughters Andrea and Jessica of Kalamazoo, MI; father Raymond Felland of Sparta, WI; sister-in-law Nancy Peterson of Calgary, Canada; brother-in-law Stan Herrman of Sparta, WI; and may nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by and infant son, Jay Andrew, and mother Maurine Felland.