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William David Bigler, 80, of Portage, Indiana, passed away on November 22, 2025. He was born on March 22, 1945, in Rochester, Indiana to the late Charles Robert and Betty Eloise (Jennens) Bigler.
Dave is survived by his children, Suzanne Marie (Bigler) Ritchie of Connersville, IN, Jennifer Lynn (Bigler) Schreck of Fishers, IN and Charles Steven Bigler of Michigan CIty, IN; grandchildren, Lauren Kristine and Troy Eric Fettinger of Fishers, IN, Sarah Marie Ritchie of Connersville, IN and Leighton Lynn Bigler of Granite City, IL; siblings, James Michael Bigler of Homestead, FL, Virginia Ann Reichert of Granger, IN and Robin Susan (Mike) DeProspero of Broad Ripple, IN, as well as many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Dave was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Daniel Bigler of Centerville, TX and sister-in-law, Auri Bigler of Homestead, FL.
Dave graduated from Hobart High School in 1963 and was on the cross country and basketball teams before obtaining his bachelor of Elementary Education from Indiana University Northwest. In 1966, Dave started a career at US Steel in Gary, IN, before he joined the US Army in 1968 where he was deployed during the Vietnam War to Germany. Dave was honorably discharged in 1971. At that time, Dave went back to the mill where he retired in 1998 after 32 years. He was a devoted member of the Hobart School Board for 16 years, where he represented the board as the state voting delegate.
Dave volunteered over 5,000 hours to the Hobart community; 25 years with the Hobart Little League- 10 as president, 20 years with Hobart Youth Basketball, was responsible for the four west parks for the Hobart Parks Department, was a Junior Achievement Instructor, and he taught and played Bridge and Pinochle. He was a member of the Kiwanis, Moose Lodge, Maria Reiner Center, and the Bonner Senior Center. Dave attended the First Baptist Church of Hammond.
In accordance with family wishes, cremation has been chosen. A meeting at the Calumet Park Funeral Chapel, 7535 Taft Street, Merrillville, IN 46410, on Friday, December 5. 2025, will begin at 11 AM to get in line for a procession to Calumet Park Cemetery, where graveside services and military honors will be rendered at 11:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Dave’s honor to Hobart Youth Sports, 414 Main Street, Hobart, IN 46342 (219-942-2489) or the Maria Reiner Center, 705 E 4th Street, Hobart, IN 46342 (219-947-1864).
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I first met Dave way back in the day when he became the President of Hobart Little League. To me, he will always be an amazing awesome man! I liked him the minute I met him. Through the years when I ran into Dave, wherever it would be, we would stop and catch up with each other. I will miss that.
Thank you Dave for your service to our country, all the selfless hours you gave, and the lives you touched in our community. Hobart is a better community because of your hard work.
Remember, Those that love us, will miss us the most. I will miss you Dave, and I look forward to when we are able to catch up with each other again.
-David Smith
My Sincere Condolences to Dave’s family. He was a sincere servant of the community, Especially of the betterment of the children. I was fortunate to become friends and confidant of Dave’s. He always had great advice and valued his wisdom. He will be tremendously missed and the community just became a little sadder
Wishing all of you great strength and courage during this tragic time.
Robb Zimmerman
And family
For more than 20 years Dave and I have been playing duplicate bridge as partners and sometimes as opponents at the same table. Good times we had were when we would travel to a club like Hinsdale, Illinois and spent the entire evening bidding, declaring, or defending each hand of 13 cards. And of course the best of these times was when we came in first overall, beating all opponents in about 14 tables (28 pairs). But won or lost we always had a grand time.
I will always remember these good times, partner Dave. Perhaps we may be able to do them again up there someday. Rest up!
I am so very sorry to see this news. I just loved Mr Bigler and spent a lot of time around him in high school since I dated his son for a couple years! I will always remember his little tiny geo tracker suv/car that was always on E and me always freaking out that we were for sure going to be walking! Many baseball games! He will truly be missed! Sending my love to the family.
My sympathies to Dave’s family— have fond memories of Dave as both a classmate as well as a teammate— May God bless and watch over his loved one’s—- Jon Eickstead
So sorry to hear of Dave’s passing. He was a super classmate and super basketball teammate. My prayers for his wonderful family! Bill Clingan