Douglas Charles Allen

Douglas “Doug” Allen passed away on December 2, 2020 at the age of 69, in his home in Benton Harbor, Michigan, surrounded by family. His battle with cancer in recent years demonstrated his courage and his deep love for his friends and family - whom he always greeted with enthusiasm and a big smile, despite the pain. Doug was born in Spring Lake, Michigan to Moira and Dennis Allen, as the youngest of three brothers (Thomas and Dennis Jr.), with whom he remained close all his life. After being accepted to the University of Michigan, he left Spring Lake for Ann Arbor, which became like a second home. He will always be remembered as an avid Michigan fan, and some of his family’s best memories together were made in Ann Arbor. After graduating from law school at the University of South Carolina (near his brother, Tom), he returned to Michigan. There he began his career as an attorney at a law firm in St. Joseph, and also met and married the love of his life, Ferol Capizzo Allen. With her support, he later co-founded the law firm of Straub, Seaman, and Allen PC and helped raise his three children, Elizabeth (Kevin Sherlock), Kathryn (Chris Ory), and Michael. Throughout his life, Doug had many interests and hobbies (from trap and skeet shooting and poetry to motorcycles, music, and Michigan sports), which he loved to share with his friends and family. His colleagues and friends admire him as an intelligent attorney and invaluable mentor, and have fond memories of motorcycle trips, football games, and after-work-drinks. Doug always had a funny story to tell or advice to offer. To his family, he was a caring and extremely proud husband, father, grandfather (Mia Ory), and uncle. He was a provider, role model, life-lesson teacher, Civil War historian and collector, high-school sports fan, fast food lover, and “Allen-hook Shot” pioneer, who enjoyed an Absolut on the rocks with a lemon twist or red wine with a book by the fire. Toward the end of his career and after retiring from the practice of law, he was happy to get to spend more time traveling with Ferol, tailgating in Ann Arbor with his family through some reasonably successful Michigan football seasons, and giving advice about finances, home repairs, careers, and anything else his kids needed. Doug always encouraged those close to him to never cut corners, take the scenic route, turn up the Bruce Springsteen, and enjoy the ride. Doug’s life will be honored and celebrated with a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 2:00PM, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 220 Church St., St. Joseph, with Father John Fleckenstein officiating. Internment will take place at North Shore Memory Gardens at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Berrien County Cancer Service, 3900 Hollywood Rd., St. Joseph, or to Caring Circle Hospice, 4025 Health Park Ln, St. Joseph. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. For those who are unable to attend, Doug’s service will be recorded and placed on the funeral home website following the service.