Donald Alvin Champine

Donald “Don” Champine, beloved father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and friend, passed away on April 27, 2026, at the age of 77. Born on July 1, 1948, to Frederick and Eileen Champine, Don grew up as the younger brother of David Champine, a relationship that blossomed over the years into one of the closest friendships either man would ever know.

At 23 years old, Don experienced a life-changing moment when he became a born-again Christian. From that point forward, his faith was the cornerstone of everything he did. He dedicated himself wholeheartedly to spreading the gospel, and in doing so, became a beloved fixture in the community of St. Clair Shores. He was known to nearly everyone simply as “Pastor Don,” he was a familiar and cherished sight riding his bicycle through the neighborhood, a Jesus sign proudly displayed on the front; a small, joyful declaration of the faith that defined his life. Each day, Don devoted two to three hours to reading the Bible, a discipline he maintained with quiet devotion for decades.

Don had a lifelong love of living things. In his younger years, he was an enthusiastic pet hobbyist, raising birds, rabbits, hamsters, dogs, and cats with equal parts patience and affection. As the years passed and life slowed a little, he channeled that same nurturing spirit into his houseplants. Every window in his home held a plant, green and growing, tended by hands that never lost their gift for care.

Family was everything to Don. He made it a priority to be present and engaged with his children, whether that meant weekend outings to Belle Isle or rolling up his sleeves alongside one of his sons for maintenance and property management work. He believed in doing life together, and he showed it.

His grandchildren knew him simply as the “fun grandpa”, and that title, earned through countless moments of laughter and love, may be the one he wore most proudly of all.

Don is survived by his children, Scott Champine, Sara Champine-Armeni, Michael Champine, Jacob Champine, the late Hannah Champine, and Peter (Katelyn) Champine; grandchildren, Nathan Lubig, Kayla Armeni, Aana Armeni, Garrett Miller, Tessa Miller, Laney Miller; great-grandchildren, Christian, Jaxon, and Eliana; brother, Dave (Nancy) Champine; niece, Shellie (Roger) Champine-Degroote, and nephew, David F.A. Champine (Dominique).

Visitation will be held on May 11, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm at A.H. Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Ave, Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan 48236. A visitation will take place on May 12, 2026 at 11:00 am followed by the funeral at 12:00pm at A.H. Peters Funeral Home