Daniel Case ’74
Daniel Thomas Case passed away peacefully on the evening of Christmas, 2019, at the Stonecroft Health Campus in Bloomington.
Born to Raymond and Carolyn Case in Battle Creek, Michigan, Dan grew up all around the lower peninsula as his father relocated often for his career at A&P. He was the eldest of four siblings and graduated from Douglas MacArthur High School in 1970. Dan went to Hope College in Holland, Michigan, to study ancient civilizations and philosophy, graduating in 1974.
He went on to seminary at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Chicago where he earned a Masters of Divinity. Dan moved back to Michigan where he pastored two churches simultaneously: South Branch Community Baptist in Roscommon and St. Helen Community Church in St. Helen. During that time he met and married Diane Nall, and they had two children, Andrew and Elizabeth. Eventually the two churches merged into one.
In 1989, Dan and his family moved to Bloomington, Indiana, where he served as associate pastor at First Baptist Church, United Church of Christ. A few years later, Dan left the ministry, finishing the rest of his career as an assistant textbook manager at T.I.S. College Bookstore in Bloomington.
In Dan’s journey to honor his true self, he spent the remaining 20 years of his life with his loving partner, Brian Galm. Dan lived to help others and was present in his community. He volunteered many winters at the Inter-Faith Winter Shelter, assisting the homeless population. Dan mentored many college students at Indiana University and was involved with the Resident Fellows Program. Dan enjoyed pursuing a healthy lifestyle before he became ill, becoming an active Crossfit participant. He was an avid reader, consuming several books a week and he enjoyed sharing his knowledge of theology, literature, history and philosophy with those around him. Dan would proudly play Trivial Pursuit against his entire family and would often win. Dan was a gifted amateur chef, studying and collecting cookbooks. He spent many sessions teaching his daughter and son-in-law to cook his favorite recipes.
Dan enjoyed traveling to England with Brian and friends. In 15 years, he made 15 visits to Europe, bringing back treasures and photos to share with his family. Dan also enjoyed cheering for Michigan football (Go Blue!) and Red Wings Hockey. Of all Dan’s life moments, becoming a grandfather was his proudest. When he became ill with Multiple System Atrophy in 2011, he fought with dignity and honor. The impact this disease took on his ability to be an active grandfather was the hardest aspect for him to process. Dan fought this disease with persistent optimism and patience. He never stopped giggling, smiling and asking how others around him were doing, even into his last days.
Dan is survived by his mother, Carolyn Case; his siblings, Susan (Keith) Bonner, Brenda (Neil) Sutton, and Stephen (Sue) Case; his partner, Brian Galm; his children, Andrew (Sasha) Case and Elizabeth (Daniel) Wizner; his four grandchildren: Isabelle, William and Abraham Wizner and Mena-Lynn Case; 8 nieces and nephews and 13 grand nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father, Raymond Case.