Obituaries

June 21, 1952 to September 9, 2015

WINAMAC - Donald L. Stigen, 63, of Lafayette, formerly of Winamac, passed away at 4:40 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 9, at Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health - Lafayette East, Lafayette. 

He was born June 21, 1952, in Chicago, to the late Archie "Art" H. and Margaret Ann "Marge" Frahman Stigen. He married Debra Marie Kough Sept. 6, 1980 in Winamac. She died Sept. 2, 2000. 

Survivors include: 

Duane Stigen, Bloomington, Brother 
Lee Stigen, Grand Junction, CO, Brother 
Les (Linda) Stigen, Winamac, Brother 

Preceded in death by: 
Sonja Renee Stigen, Sister 

Mr. Stigen served in the U.S. Army from 1976-1979. He was a part of the dignitary security team often working with the FBI. He served with the Pulaski County Sheriff's office from 1982-1987. He served as chief of the Winamac Police Department from 1987-1988. In October of 1988, he went to work for the Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Office. He served as a patrolman and later joined the detectives division where he served until 2006. While serving with the detectives he was the lead evidence technician and mentored many young deputies. As a detective, Mr. Stigen was instrumental in the development of the property room. He also worked high profile cases including the Roselawn plane crash and the attempted courthouse bombing. In 2007, he began working as a civil process server and was a special deputy of the TCSO. He retired in December of 2014. He was instrumental in forming the Tippecanoe County Bomb Squad in 1999. He also served as bomb squad commander. 

Mr. Stigen enjoyed fishing and hunting. He will be sadly missed by his family and co-workers. 

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, Wednesday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. A memorial service will follow at 12 noon, (Wednesday, Sept. 16), at the funeral home. Burial of cremains will be at Bruce Lake Cemetery, Lake Bruce. The American Legion and VFW will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be given to Tippecanoe County Humane Society.