Daniel James “Dan” Layman
Last Updated on April 19, 2026 by Cass County Communication Network
Daniel J. Layman, 94, passed away on April 8, 2026, surrounded by the family he loved so deeply.
Dan was born on February 7, 1932, to Mildred and Early Layman. He grew up in Walton, Indiana, and graduated from Walton High School in 1950. That same year, he began what would become a lifelong love affair with Purdue University. As he liked to tell it, his early years at Purdue were filled with fraternity life as a member of Theta Chi and attending sporting events; memories he would later share with his children and grandchildren.
Dan met the love of his life, Linda Ward, when they were children. He was friends with her older brother, Jim, and their story began long before they knew it would last a lifetime. They were married on May 29, 1954, beginning a marriage that spanned more than seven decades. Together, they built a family that became the center of Dan’s life and his greatest pride.
He is survived by his children: Lori (John) Parker, Lisa Williams, LuAnn (Dan) Schroder, and Jim (Julie) Layman.
His grandchildren brought him a special kind of joy. He rarely missed a game, an event, or a moment that mattered to them, and they will remember his steady presence in their lives. He is survived by his grandchildren: Lauren (Clint) Durham; Allison (Jimmy) Cohoat; Kyle (Jaclyn) Williams; Alec (Kenna) Williams; Meghan (Wes) Rigney; Luke Schroder; Emily (Matt) Thieme; Daniel (Cassie) Layman; Kate Layman; Matthew Kistler; and Michael Kistler.
Dan also delighted in his great-grandchildren, who added even more life and laughter to his later years. He is survived by Parker and Morrison Durham; Amelia and Kip Williams, Lawson and Shelby Williams; Josie Rigney; Lily and Jack Cohoat; and Elaine Thieme.
To many, he was simply “Dan the Purdue Man,” the way he often signed his emails and texts. His pride in Purdue was unmistakable and contagious. After graduating in 1955, Dan served in the United States Navy as a hospital corpsman before beginning his career as a pharmacist.
Dan spent his professional career with Hook’s Drugs, rising to Divisional Coordinator before retiring in 1990. But retirement didn’t slow him down. He continued to serve his community in countless ways, with the Logansport School Corporation Board, as a volunteer at Logansport Memorial Hospital, and as a devoted member of the Logansport Kiwanis Club for more than fifty years.
He also gave generously of his time and talent to the Cass County Community Foundation, serving for nineteen years, including several as chairman of the finance committee. Dan’s commitment ran so deep that he and Linda established the Dan and Linda Layman Family Fund at the foundation to provide grants to local charitable organizations forever. His steady leadership and careful stewardship helped the foundation grow and strengthen its impact for years to come.
Dan’s love for Purdue extended far beyond his own experience. Along with fellow alumnus Tom Scheetz, he helped build the Purdue Alumni Club of Cass County, supported scholarships, and never missed an opportunity to share that pride, often with a Purdue lapel pin in hand. At home, that same enthusiasm showed up in tradition: no holiday or wedding was complete without “Hail Purdue” being played.
More than anything, Dan will be remembered for the life he built with faith, with family, and with a quiet commitment to serving others. His was a life marked not only by its length, but by its depth.
His memory will live on in the many lives he touched. He was proceeded in death by his parents, two sisters, and son-in-law, Stan Williams.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Daniel and Linda Layman Family Fund at the Cass County Community Foundation, P.O. Box 441, Logansport, Indiana 46947, or to the Purdue Club of Cass County. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home and at the church.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, April 24, at Kroeger-Crain Funeral Home. The funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, at Trinity Lutheran Church, with visitation at the church one hour prior to the service. Pastor Rochelle Lemieux and Pastor Candice Hinkle will officiate.
Condolences can be shared at https://www.kroegerfuneralhome.com.