Judge David L. Chidester

1954 - 2024

Judge David L. Chidester

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Judge David Loren Chidester died on the ninth day of March 2024, at the age of 69.

Judge Chidester was a Porter County resident from 1978 until his death and served as judge of the Porter Superior Court in Valparaiso from 2003 until 2021. He was born in Gary, IN, in 1954, and proudly attended Lew Wallace High. While at Lew Wallace, he was the student body president. In 1973, he was the youngest appointment by Gary's mayor to the Gary Human Relations Commission. Judge Chidester graduated from the Tulane University of New Orleans with a bachelor degree in 1977 and attended Valparaiso University School of Law, obtaining a juris doctor degree in 1981. In 2005, he received a Masters Certificate in judicial development from the National Judicial College at the University of Nevada-Reno. From 1973 until 1982, David was an apprentice ironworker during summers at Bethlehem Steel and he felt his time as an ironworker in Local 395 did more to shape his life than any school or degree. After law school, David was a general practitioner, handling many types of legal matters and winning multiple acquittals in federal criminal courts in South Bend and Hammond.

The only greater love in his life than the law was being with his wife, Judge Mary Harper, who he married on July 31, 1993. When Mary predeceased David in 2022, David suffered from a broken heart, of which he never recovered. Immediately after retirement, David was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Judge Chidester is survived by his beloved mother, Irene Chidester of Melbourne, FL; his older brother, Jeffrey (Kathy); sister, Becky (Dave); nephews: Marshall (Sarah) and Phillip (Anna); brothers-in-law: Randy Rudasics (Kathie) and Tom Rudasics, and Erik, Sarah and Adam Kozuszek (Kristi). He loved spending time with his best friend, Jim Sarkisian, with whom he attended nine Super Bowls and a multitude of events. He mostly enjoyed following the legal and political career of his stepson, Jim Harper, and Jesse Harper.

David's other great love in life was the Civil War. He belonged to numerous battlefield preservation organizations, including the Civil War Trust. He once remarked that he would take the test to become a Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide, but he had already passed two bar exams (Indiana and Illinois) and that was enough tests for one life. He belonged to the Friends of Gettysburg, Association of Licensed Battlefield Guides, Lew Wallace Historical Society, and Friends of Stones River battlefield preservation. He was a Chicago Bears ticket holder from 1982 to 1991 and loved Notre Dame Football. He was a member of the Tulane Greenbackers, Green Wave Club Olive and Blue Society, and Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. David was a charitable person who donated time, money, and experience to help people and animals in need.

Judge Chidester was a proud member of the Porter County judiciary. He was a no-nonsense judge who learned from his wife, Judge Harper, how to be a judge. He served on numerous committees for the Indiana Judicial Center and wrote many of the forms dealing with orders of protection. He was the first judge in Porter County to operate and develop a mental health court, called the Restoration Court.

In retirement, he served on the board of directors for the Caring Place Shelter in Valparaiso. He loved to golf at Robbinhurst with the Monday Night Duffers and golfed in the Forest Park Retirees League. He enjoyed rescue beagles, including his own, Woofwoof, Barney, Dolly and Izzy. He was a member of Valparaiso Elks Lodge 500. From 2021, he served as a Senior Judge in Laporte and Lake County. In 2023, he became certified to be a substitute teacher at Valpo High, which he enjoyed.

Prior to his death, David renewed his relationship with God. While going through the travails of cancer treatment, he placed his trust in God. He was a member of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in South Haven. After cremation, a visitation will be held at DYKES FUNERAL HOME in Valparaiso on March 21, 2024, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. On March 22, 2024, a funeral mass will be held at 10:00 AM at Our Lady of Sorrows by Father Paul Quanz. Judge Chidester's ashes will be spread at his favorite place, the Gettysburg National Military Park.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Caring Place.

Arrangements made by Dykes Funeral Home, Inc., Valparaiso, IN, (219) 462-3125.