Don Leibel

Don Leibel, 70, of St. Joseph and Tucson, AZ, passed away, Tuesday, September 4, 2018 in Tucson after a hard-fought battle with cancer.  He was gentle, humble man who will be greatly missed by all who have had the experience of being in his life. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 2:00 P.M. Saturday, October 6, 2018 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with Rev. Robert Confer officiating.  Military Rites will be conducted by the North Berrien Military Rites Team.  Friends may visit with the family beginning at 1:00 P.M. Saturday at the funeral home.  Memorial donations in Don’s name may be made to New Heights CCDA to benefit the Community Food Network of First Church of God or Berrien County Cancer Service.  Those wishing to sign Don’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Don was born January 10, 1948 in Mt. Vernon, Ohio to Raymond & Ruby (Gullett) Leibel.  He graduated from Mt. Vernon High School, Class of 1966 and earned his Master’s Degree from Siena Heights College.  Don served his country in the United States Navy for twenty plus years, both active and reserve.  He spent the majority of his time underwater in the submarine service.  On November 25, 1967, he married the former Barbara Lunn in Mount Vernon. After Don’s military service, his professional career was with Entergy and American Electric Power.  He retired in May 2008.  Following retirement, Don & Barb spent most of their time traveling in the United States and volunteering for US National Parks & Wildlife Refuges, from Alaska to Texas to the east coast.  Locally he volunteered at the Silver Beach Carousel, Sarett Nature Center, the American Red Cross, Lest We Forget, and drove the van for the Berrien County Veterans.  Don was a member of the First Church of God in St. Joseph, and The Community Chapel in Tucson. Don is survived by his wife Barbara; two sons-Mark (Elizabeth) Leibel of Colorado Springs, CO, Jeff (Marybeth) Leibel of Michigan City, IN; grandchildren-Marrissa, Alison & Emma Leibel, Dahne Groman; mother-in-law Juanita Lunn of Mt. Vernon, OH, sisters-in-law-Grace Leibel of Georgia, Carolyn Winters of Columbus, OH, Debra (Michael) Lunn of Lancaster, OH; and several nieces & nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents & his brother Charles Leibel.