Douglas Stapert

Doug Stapert was a wonderful person to know and love. He was a man of many special interests, yet it was evident in every way that his family and friends meant the most to him. His generous and compassionate ways will forever be remembered by all who knew and loved him.

The 1940s were characterized by WWII. By 1947, some of the most significant inventions that would impact lives for many years were created, including the Transistor and the Mobile Phone. That same year, Douglas was born to a set of hard-working parents, Dirk and Dorothy (Morren) Stapert, on November 4th in Kalamazoo, Michigan. His birth brought his parents great joy.

Doug lived a very active and happy childhood. He fell in love with basketball at a young age and earned the nickname, the Dipper, after Wilt Chamberlain. One of his favorite childhood memories was scoring the winning basket in overtime during a church tournament. As a result, the team went home with the semi-final trophy!

Doug was a proud graduate of the Class of 1965 of Kalamazoo Christian High School. He was elected all-city in basketball before heading off to college. Doug was interested in a teaching career and worked a part-time job at the Upjohn Company as a landscaper during his college days. His studies were interrupted by being draftedinto the United States Army. Once he was out of the service, he went back to Upjohn, eventually becoming a microbiologist.

Doug had a natural way of being with people and lived his life as a helper. This same kindness drew Sheryl Wenke to him earlier in his life as a high schooler. She caught him looking at her at the local Elks Club and remembered him from the basketball court. School began, they had classes together, and as time progressed, they hit it off and eventually started dating. Later, they joined in marriage and started a wonderful family together.

As a dad, Doug was very involved. He took an interest in each of his children’s individual sports - whether it be shooting hoops in the driveway, playing catch in the backyard or cheering them on from the sidelines. He inspired growth in each of them by providing encouraging advice as well as motivating them to work harder. When the kids were older, he took them to basketball and football games at the University of Michigan – Doug’s favorite team. His love of sports extended to the outdoors where he loved water sports and fishing with his family in Ludington.

As much as he enjoyed his role as a father, Doug adored being a grandpa. He attended countless sporting events of course and took them to Ludington to splash in the pool and go to the beach in the summer months. Any time they visited, going to the House of Flavors for ice cream was at the top of their list! Doug built his grandkids a lemonade stand as well as played numerous games of Duck, Duck, Goose, or Hide and Seek. Nothing ever slowed him down. Even when he got sick in more recent years, he put up an inflatable pool so he could watch them play and be part of the fun! His grandchildren loved his generous and kind personality and never doubted his love for them.

In addition to his role in his career and family, Doug held many special interests. He loved to travel and was privileged to have toured parts of Europe and Israel. He also went to Hawaii and Alaska, and took several trips with the family during their growing years. He especially enjoyed hiking and scenic overlooks. The family did their fairshare of camping, and a roadside motel was a luxury stop just to get a hot shower.

Faith was important to him, and throughout his life, Doug took on the role of a deacon and church elder. He enjoyed leading youth groups and working with the younger generation of parishioners. His love of basketball led him to start Teen Hoops, which brought together local high school kids who didn’t play on their high school teams. This opportunity gave them a chance to “work on their game,” bond as teammates in friendly competition, and always included a faith component, which encouraged spiritual growth. Doug recruited a quality team of volunteers whose influence on these young men could not be measured, as they gave them a solid foundation of Christian values to build their lives.

His creative outlet was fulfilled through singing, drawing, gardening, and photography. He would randomly break out in song to what he thought was the “latest” hip hop music. Some of his favorite tunes made the teenagers laugh hysterically! He enjoyed drawing sports figures but could draw just about anything. Doug loved to sketch landscaping designs, which supported his love of gardening. Shooting pictures of nature was a highlight of many a family vacation. He had an eye for beauty everywhere around him.

Doug and Sheryl modeled a wonderful marriage for their children and their families. They loved taking walks along the beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline. They enjoyed watching The Badger coming back from Wisconsin while taking in a beautiful sunset. Even during the winter months, he and Sheryl would still go to the lake to see the frozen wave sand ice on the beach. The two of them wanted nothing more than for their own kids tofind a love like theirs.

Exceptionally warm and loving, Doug will surely be missed. His greatest legacy that he leaves behind is the family and friends he loved so deeply. May they always cherish the special memories they shared with him, and may they never doubt how much they meant to him.

Douglas Stapert of Mattawan, age 77, died on August 22, 2025. Surviving are his wife, Sheryl; children: Brett (Shellie) Stapert, Andrew “Andy” (Angelica) Stapert, and Erika (Aaron) Spivack; grandchildren: Mackenzie, Kendall, Ana-Lucia, Cayden, and Jaxon; siblings: Bruce (Freda) Stapert, Bryan (Lauretta) Stapert, and Bradley (Bonny) Stapert; and many nieces and nephews.

Please join us at a Life Story Visitation on Wednesday, August 27, from 4-7 PM at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900, where food, drinks and stories will be shared. A funeral service will be held Thursday, August 28, at 11 AM at North Park Reformed Church. A reception with a light lunch will follow in the church hall. Private burial.

Celebrate Doug’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on his dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Tunnels to Towers or Wings of God.