Chesterton resident John P. Puller passed away on Thursday, May 13, 2010 at home, after a four year battle with colon cancer. He was 59.

Born Dec. 14, 1950 in Clinton, Ind., he was the son of Arthur and Fay (Booth) Puller, both of whom preceded him in death. On May 13, 2006 he married Beverly (Olson/Harrigan) Puller, who survives.

Also surviving are daughters Melody (husband Mike) Freeman of Brownsburg, Ind., Kristin (Rick) Suriano of Valparaiso, and Amanda Puller (friend Matt Burruss) of Arlington, Va.; brothers Kenneth (wife Reva) Puller of Carmel, Ind. and Tony Puller of Carl Junction, Mo.; and granddaughters Anabelle and Emilia Freeman and Lillian Suriano.

John enjoyed life, especially spending time with his family and friends. A loving husband and father, he was a 1972 graduate of Indiana State University. He worked 27 years as a supervisor at Inland and later Mittal Steel, before retiring on January 1, 2009.

John was a former member of Parents Without Partners, and was a regular attendee at Liberty Bible Church and the LBC Common Cause Small Church. John was passionate about helping others and worked at several Sharefests and Rebuilding Together projects while undergoing cancer treatments himself. He was a very caring and compassionate individual and helped raise funds for a home for children whose parents had died from AIDS in Burkina Faso in West Africa.

The funeral service will be Tuesday, May 18 at 11 a.m. at Liberty Bible Church, 824 North Calumet Ave., with Pastor Greg Carter officiating. The family will receive friends on Monday, May 17 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the White-Love Funeral Home, 525 S. 2nd St., Chesterton, and on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church. For more information, call 926-1309.

Memorials may be given to the West African Christian Ministries (Bethesda Home in John’s memory), 900 E. Jefferson St., Valparaiso, IN 46383.

Posted 5/14/2010