Louis Ronald DeBock was born in Chicago on April 8, 1944 and passed into the arms of His Savior on July 2, 2022. He was 78 years old. Following high school at Chicago Vocational High School he was drafted into the US Amy, June 28, 1965 and served until his honorable discharge on March 29, 1967 with the Eighth Army, Co B 2nd Med Bn., primarily serving in Korea at the DMZ. His Rank at discharge was SP4.
Louis and his wife Marcia were married in Chicago on Sept. 27, 1969. He worked in the printing Industry then as a distributor of Pepperidge Farm Products in Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana. He followed his true calling in Brown County, IN with the purchase of a barn and 20 acres of land on which he built a farmhouse. He then applied for seasonal work with Brown County State Park where he served for almost 14 years. Louis and his wife would be celebrating their 53rd wedding anniversary this September, except for the Pancreatic cancer that ended his life July 2, 2022. His happy place was always working in woods, gardens and with the many employees and visitors he greeted at the Park West Gate. His biggest smile was always on the seat of his tractor, heading across his acres, followed around by at least 5 happy adopted dogs with all tails wagging and several cats. They knew that wherever Lou was headed would be a great adventure! We know that they all picked up where they left off somewhere among the clouds!
Louis loved gardening. It was his Dutch DNA that led him to build his own gardens of rare irises, lilies and hard to find blooms. He taught his grandson to fish and hiked often in the Brown County State Park. In his younger years he was an avid runner inspiring his daughter to become a runner for physical health and well-being. Most of all he will be remembered for his fortitude, perseverance in work and play, always strong and yet a kind and gentle person we all strived to emulate
He was a committed and devoted father. He was an indispensable blueprint and model of how to be a good father and taught by example how to do the most difficult job – to be a good parent.
Graveside services to celebrate his life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, July 21, 2022 at Mt. Zion Cemetery in Brown County, IN.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Friends of Brown County State Park.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.BondMitchellFuneralHome.
