ELKHART - Douglas "Doug" M. Heine, 43, of 55 EMS T-6 Lane, Leesburg, died approximately at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 7, 2007, from injuries suffered in an automobile accident at U.S. 33 north of CR 42, Goshen.
He was born June 26, 1964, in Chicago Heights, Ill., to Melvin A. and Carole D. Kurth Heine. On Jan. 10, 1987, in Park Forest, Ill., he married Stephanie A. Keifer, who survives.
He worked as a safety, health and environmental specialist at Bentler Automotive, Goshen. He formerly worked at Cassady, Neeser & Brasseur and EBI Companies, both in South Bend; R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co., Warsaw; Aeera Pac Group Inc., Elkhart; and Monroe Guaranty and Chubb Group, both in Indianapolis. He also was a private consultant to local businesses for safety-related training and procedures. He was a lieutenant, training officer, safety officer and EMS First Responder at North Webster Fire Dept. He was a former volunteer firefighter and EMT for Harris Township Fire Dept., Granger.
He graduated from Crete-Monroe High School, Crete, Ill., in 1982, and earned a bachelor's degree from Illinois State University, Normal, Ill., in 1986. He was formerly chief officer and training officer for the Kosciusko County Special Hazards Operations Team. He was a certified trainer and instructor for many safety-related programs, including advanced confined space and high angle rescue, OSHA General Industry Outreach and CPR. He was president of the Michiana Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers from 2000-01. He enjoyed the outdoors, camping, backpacking and spending time with his wife and daughters. He was an avid Jeep enthusiast and enjoyed rock crawling in his Jeep.
Also surviving are two daughters, Madeline A. and Margaret M. Heine, both of Leesburg; his father, Melvin A. Heine, Frankfort, Ill.; a brother, Daniel M. (and wife Debbie) Heine, Oak Lawn, Ill.; a sister, Mrs. Greg (Deanna D.) Soucie, Frankfort; a niece; and two nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Carole D. Heine, who died in 2002.
A full fire service procession will begin at the south end of North Webster on Ind. 13 at 2 p.m. Wednesday proceeding to North Webster Church of God where a memorial service will begin at 2:30 p.m. with Dennis Judy, pastor of discipleship at North Webster Church of God, and chaplain of the NWFD, officiating. Immediately following the service, a celebration of his life will take place at North Webster American Legion on Ind. 13. Cremation will take place with burial at a later date.
No calling is planned.
Elkhart Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.
