David Paul Larimer

David Paul Larimer (August 29, 1965 – June 5, 2025)

David Larimer, 59, of Chesterton, Indiana passed on June 5th, 2025, after a hard-fought battle with cancer.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 36 years, Jeannine, their five adored children – Sam (and Katie), Meghan (and Michael), Joe (and Anna), Ben (and Ashley), and Mia – his cherished granddaughter Rosemary, and three of his siblings – Bonnie, Mariann, and Jeff.

He also leaves behind countless friends and family.

Preceding him in death are his parents, and siblings – Rick, Kathy, Michael, Mark Jr., Amy, and Claire.  

David was born on August 29, 1965, to Mark Sr. and Claire Larimer in Kankakee, Illinois and grew up in Bourbonnais, Illinois.

As the youngest of his siblings, David channeled the role of ornery, charismatic, and mischievous little brother all his life. Even in his final days he was in good humor – using colorful language, poking fun at his family, and laughing at bad dad jokes.

He ensured each of his children were equipped with his same dark humor, generous spirit, and creative mindset.

In David’s early years he discovered his love of art and made up games in the front yard with childhood turned lifelong friends.

David attended the American Academy of Art in Chicago, IL, where he received degrees in fine art, illustration, photography, and graphic design. It was there that he met the love of his life, Jeannine. It was love at first sight and they married in 1988.

A creative powerhouse, they built a life together in Chesterton with their five children. With enough family members to field a basketball team, David never met a project he and his troop of kids couldn’t do themselves. From the annual Boy Scout Haunted Trail at Camp Topenebee to hand-crafted “Daderondak” chairs and an ever-expanding garden in the backyard – David was always creating.

David made his career in advertising at agencies and packaging design companies in Chicago, including ownership of two businesses. As with everything else he did, David committed himself to excellence at work and was respected by colleagues and clients.

Despite his job as a creative, David’s his true artistry was reflected in the paper snowflakes he covered the windows with during the holidays, the countless poems he wrote for his wife, and the Easter Egg hunts he prepared for the kids (which became increasingly difficult and torturous as the kids aged – a process David watched with glee). 

He spent every spare minute doing for others. He was an active volunteer and cheering fanatic at his kids’ school and extracurricular activities like dance and show choir. He was a Boy Scout Master for over 20 years, helping more than 70 kids become Eagle Scouts, including all three of his sons. Dave was awarded the Distinguished Hoosier Award for his years of exemplary mentorship to his Scouts. He spent many late nights turned early mornings helping his kids perfect their school projects with a precision and level of skill that fooled no teacher.

Dave was known to open his door to anyone in need – neighborhood kids, scout families, strangers. He had a gift for bringing people together. The Larimer family New Year’s Eve “last-minute losers party” for friends without plans soon became an anticipated annual event where everyone was welcome.

David had a knack for storytelling, though you could expect each telling to be slightly more embellished. The grandiose tales likely stemmed from his love of fictional universes – Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Marvel. He would often quote the movies and even grade his kids’ significant others on their knowledge of nerd universe trivia.

In recent years, David began to experience health complications that evolved into cancer. Every step of the way, he was ready to fight and channeled energy from his favorite superhero movies. His family compared him to Wolverine, whose superpower was to regenerate. David’s catchphrase was “strong like a bull” which became a mantra for the most difficult moments of his journey until the very end.

David will be greatly missed – for his bear hugs, his antagonistic board game play, his unflinching generosity, his crass dad jokes, his artistic flair, his modelled kindness, his enormous omelettes, his love for debate, his deafening snores, his sound guidance, and much, much more.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 11th at White-Love Funeral Home in Chesterton (525 S 2nd St, Chesterton, IN 46304) from 3-6pm CT, followed by a memorial service from 6-7pm CT.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to send donations to the Chesterton Art Center or Izaak Walton League of America to honor David’s love of art and the outdoors.

Please share your wonderful memories with the family at: www.whitelovefuneralhome.com. 

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