- Date Of Birth: February 6, 1983
- Date Of Death: April 18, 2022
- State: Michigan
Derek Michael Finkbeiner, age 39, born on February 6, 1983 in Lansing, Michigan died on Monday, April 18, 2022, when God called him home. Derek was a loving and devoted father. He enjoyed making people laugh.
Derek is preceded in death by his grandparents: Dolores A. and Francis W. Thelen, Charlotte P. and Rodney W. Finkbeiner, Kent Buffenbarger; uncles, Gary A. Finkbeiner and Geoffrey E. Cross; also, a special friend, Tyler Hamel. Derek is survived by his wife, Jessica Buffenbarger; four children: Andrew Buffenbarger, Alyssa Buffenbarger, Ava Finkbeiner, Axton Finkbeiner; also surviving are his parents: mother, Jane Finkbeiner; father, Larry (Peggy) Finkbeiner; mother-in-law, Carol (Mike) Schneckenberger, brothers, Patrick (Alison) Finkbeiner and Brendan (Amy) Finkbeiner; half-sister, Danica Shier; step-brothers, Curtis (Jennifer) Brinks and Chad (Delaine) Brinks; step-sister, Lisa Brinks; aunts and uncles: Linda (Thelen) and Danny Weber, Phil (Mary Kay) Thelen, Tom (Lori) Thelen, Rick (MaryJo) Thelen, Mark Thelen, Ann Cross of Middleville, MI and Allyn (Nova) Finkbeiner from the Philippines. Derek had many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Derek graduated from Portland St. Patrick’s High School in 2001. He was known as the one that could make you laugh. He enjoyed playing all sports while in school.
Derek worked at Phillip’s Pet Food and Supply for 18 years, where he spent time traveling to their many warehouses trouble shooting and helping them as they needed. He was awarded the Employee of Excellent award in 2018. He was promoted many times there and his latest position was inventory management.
He will be truly missed by all his family, friends, and co-worker family.
