Darwin Carl Dubke

Darwin Carl Dubke, 81, of Berrien Springs, MI was taken to be with his Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, September 11, 2016 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph. Arrangements have been entrusted to Heritage Chapel in Berrien Springs. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 A.M., Thursday, September 15, 2016 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 9123 George St., Berrien Springs, MI with Pastor Douglas Adams and Pastor Dallas Dubke officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery.  Friends may visit with the family from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, September 14, 2016 and 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. Thursday, September 15, 2016 before the Service at Trinity Lutheran Church in Berrien Springs.  Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church and School or Lutheran Hour Ministries.  Those wishing to share a memory of Darwin online may do so at www.heritage-chapel.com. Darwin was born March 15, 1935 in Taylor, MI to Carl & Mildred (Otter) Dubke. He graduated from Concordia Lutheran High School in 1953.  After completing his Master’s in Education, Darwin became a Lutheran School Teacher and taught for 35 years.  On July 26, 1959 he married Verna Bauer.  Darwin was a member of the Lutheran Layman’s League and enjoyed photography, gardening and biking.  He completed a 200-mile “Focus on the Family” ride.  God and family were first and everything in his life. Darwin is survived by his wife, Verna; children Ruth (Tim) Krieger, Jonathan (Lisa) Dubke and Joel Dubke; grandchildren Stephen Krieger, Rachel Krieger, Benjamin Dubke, Andrew Dubke, Amelia Dubke, and Foster-Godchild Joshua Dubke; siblings Denise (Robert) Rutledge, Rev. Dallas (Martha) Dubke, and Dawn Dubke. Darwin was preceded in death by his parents and infant son Paul Darwin.