Leon A. Dargis

Leon A. Dargis

November 12, 1937 - March 14, 2018

Leon A. Dargis, 80, of Long Beach, Indiana and Estero, Florida, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at The University of Chicago Medical Center in Chicago, IL.

Leon was born on November 12, 1937 in the Marquette Park neighborhood of Chicago, IL to the late Celia (Jonaitis) and Anthony A. Dargis. He was the loving husband of Sally (Boese) Dargis, whom he married in the Log Chapel at The University of Notre Dame on January 30, 1965. He was the father to: Brett (Rebecca) of Montverde, FL; Kurt of Weatogue, CT; Ryan (Moira) of Chicago, IL; and Andrew (Nhu) of Saginaw, MI. Leon was the proud grandfather of Blake, Alexander, Connor, Lukas, Ashley, Olivia, Jonas, Dylan, Amanda, Ellen, Evan and Brigitta. He is also survived by siblings Thomas (Judith) Dargis of Georgetown, TX and Paula (Keith) Perry of Ketchum, ID. Leon was preceded in death by his sisters Alice Bormann and Margaret (James) Fischer.

After moving to Long Beach full time from Chicago in 1951, Leon attended and graduated from St. Mary’s High School and settled in Michigan City and graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1959. In Michigan City, he launched his 59-year career in the trust, fiduciary and investment management business, beginning in the Trust Department at Merchants National Bank. Merchants National eventually became Horizon Bancorp. After 38 years, Leon left Horizon in 1997 and founded the independent trust company, Harbour Trust & Investment Management Company, with his long-time business partner and friend, Robert P. Rose. Leon continued to work at Harbour Trust as Chairman of the Board until his final illness.

Leon was active in the community. He was elected to the Board of Trustees of the Michigan City Area Schools in 1976, serving as the Board’s President from 1978 to 1980. He also served on the Lay Board of Trustees for St. Anthony Hospital (two years as Board Chair) from 1978 to 1982. In 1978, he founded the Coolspring Athletic Association with Lester Radke, which eventually grew into a three-league summer baseball program. From 1990 until 2008, Leon was a founding member of the LaPorte County Park Foundation, where he helped identify and acquire land for the LaPorte County Park system. Throughout the years, Leon also served on the Kiwanis, Exchange, and Rotary Clubs of Michigan City as well as the Finance Council at Queen of All Saints Parish in Michigan City. Leon was an active parishioner at both Notre Dame and Queen of All Saints Parishes in Long Beach and Michigan City, and Our Lady of Light Parish in Estero, FL. Leon adored his family, enjoyed fishing and cooking, and had an on-again, off-again love affair with Notre Dame football.

Visitation will be Friday, March 23, 2018 from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel, 418 Washington Street, Michigan City, Indiana 46360. There will be additional visitation at the Queen of All Saints Church Legacy Center (606 S. Woodland Avenue, Michigan City, IN 46360) on Saturday, March 24 at 9:15 a.m., with a funeral mass directly following at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Leon’s name to The LaPorte County Park Foundation Inc., care of Harbour Trust Company, P.O. Box 419 Michigan City, IN 46361, or your local Salvation Army.

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