David E. McKesson

David E. McKesson, passed away on Aug. 11, 2025, at home surrounded by his family following a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.

Dave was born in South Bend in 1947 to Dwight and Gaynale (Ullery) McKesson, and was a lifelong Walkerton resident, graduating from Walkerton High School in 1965. He was preceded in death by his parents and his only sister, Patricia.

Dave is survived by his wife of 27 years, Laura; his three daughters, Angie McKesson of Bremen, Jennifer McQueen of Rossland, British Colombia, Canada, and Ashley McKesson of Walkerton; two grandchildren, Isobel and Alasdair McQueen of British Colombia, Canada; his niece, Shelley (George) Bogard of Walkerton; his lifelong best friend, Roger Orcutt of Walkerton; and a large extended family.

Dave was an electrician by trade and ran his own business, contracting his services exclusively to Hiler Industries for the past 40-plus years. In recent years, his work expanded to include the building and programming of logic controls and robotics.

Dave has been a member of the Walkerton Volunteer Fire Department since 1973. He was recently recognized by the state of Indiana Volunteer Firefighters Association and the Indiana General Assembly for his service and dedication of more than 50 years to WVFD. In his younger years, Dave was also an active member of the Walkerton and state of Indiana Jaycees, and was an avid hunter, enjoying annual trips to South Dakota with the guys.

Dave was an avid "car guy," loving all types of cars and motorsports, never missing a Sunday NASCAR race. In the past several years he has been able to participate in both Indy Car and Richard Petty NASCAR drive experiences, which he thoroughly enjoyed.

His love of cars started in high school when, in 1965, he rebuilt the motor of a 1960 Studebaker Lark, as a surprise for his cousin, Sharon. He was continually rebuilding and tinkering with his beloved 1987 Fiero in his home garage with friends, Roger, George, "Toad" or Terry, over the years. It was a project that was never going to be finished as there was always "one or two more things" he could do to make it better. Dave was also a "tech guy," loving all things to do with computers and the latest electronic gadgets and toys.

Most of all Dave was a family man, loving nothing more than spending time with family over big, boisterous meals at home, dinner out at restaurants, quiet fishing trips in Minnesota with Laura and Ashley, or the annual weekend in Frankenmuth, Michigan, Christmas shopping. He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be held on Friday, Aug. 15, from 4 until 8 p.m. at Hanley and Sons Funeral Home, 1216 Roosevelt Rd., Walkerton. Funeral services will be held in the funeral home on Saturday, Aug. 16, at 11 a.m. where friends may visit with the family one hour prior to the service. Officiating the service will be Pastors Loretta Schmidt, JoAn Haney and Denny Soule of the Walkerton Community Church. He will be laid to rest in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Walkerton. A luncheon will be held immediately following at the American Legion Post 189 of Walkerton.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations be made in Dave's memory to either the Walkerton Volunteer Fire Department, 504 Washington St., Walkerton, IN 46574, or to the Center for Hospice, 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, IN 46545.

The Hanley and Sons Funeral Home extends our deepest sympathy and heartfelt prayers to all of Dave's family and friends.