Daniel J. Bernacchi, Sr., 80, left this world peacefully on March 28, 2026, surrounded by his loving family, at his home in Union Mills, Indiana.
Born in La Porte, Indiana, on July 10, 1945, Dan was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Mary Bernacchi.
Growing up in La Porte, Dan's strong work ethic was instilled early on, working on his grandfather Angelo's family farm. Upon graduating from LaPorte High School, he immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving aboard the Destroyer USS Robert K. Huntington. He achieved the rank of Petty Officer 2 and 3, specializing in advanced electronics and radar technology. After his honorable discharge, Dan continued his pursuit of knowledge, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University, where he also served as an Adjunct Professor and later earned a Master of Business Administration from Indiana University. Always at the forefront of technology, Dan leveraged his expertise to open his own successful company, providing pioneering IT service and support to businesses throughout Northwest Indiana and the Chicagoland areas.
Dan was devoted to the love of his life, Marlette (Terpstra), his beloved wife of nearly 52 years. Their enduring love created a beautiful family, including their five children: Barbara (Mike) Quigley, Dan (Cheri) Bernacchi, Nathan (Nicole) Bernacchi, Leslie Bernacchi, and Joel (Tiffany) Bernacchi. He was a cherished grandfather to 11 grandchildren and a proud great-grandfather to 3 great-grandchildren, dedicating himself to spending as much time as possible with his family. He is also survived by his brother, Russell (Judy) Bernacchi; sister, Mary Jo (Greg) Klement; sisters-in-law, Rochelle Grafford and Cheryl Leach; and brother-in-law, Jim (Brenda) Terpstra.
A man of diverse passions, Dan enjoyed taking road trips on his beloved motorcycles, including his '69 Honda 750 and Harley Davidson Softtail. He was an avid gun collector and a skilled restorer of antique items, ranging from his father's Model A to antique clocks. He found immense joy in gardening, transforming his yard into a personal paradise, where he meticulously tended to his water garden. His barn served as a favorite gathering place where he welcomed and visited with many friends.
Cremation has taken place with Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center, La Porte.
A Public Visitation will be held at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 2900 Monroe Street, La Porte, Indiana, from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 2, 2026.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the NewDay Foundation of La Porte, Inc., P.O. Box 13, La Porte, IN 46352-0013 -- https://newdaylaporte.org/
