Jonathan Rae Dahlin

JONATHAN R. DAHLIN

Jonathan R. Dahlin, 34, of Lake Station, Indiana, formerly of Portage and Porter Beach, Porter, Indiana, passed away at St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart, Indiana, Monday, April 20, 2026 after a courageous two year battle with Stage IV, Metastatic Lung Cancer.

Jon, as all of his family and friends called him, was born on December 12, 1991 in Valparaiso, Indiana. He attended Yost Elementary School in Porter, Westchester Intermediate School and Chesterton Middle School, both in Chesterton before moving to Portage from Porter Beach in 2006 and where he subsequently graduated from Portage High School, Class of 2010.

Jon was employed with the State of Indiana, in particular as a maintenance foreman with the Indiana Department of Corrections at Westville Correctional Center, working there before he became incapacitated, though he maintained his position until his untimely passing. He was formerly employed as the assistant manager at Van’s clothing/shoe store at the Westfield Shopping Center (Formerly Southlake Mall) in Hobart, as well as several other previous and various jobs to support himself and his family.

He was advanced throughout his young life, even when he was a very young man. Not only did he push himself in his studies, and accomplished good grades, he also could assimilate himself into any situation and in turn, fit in accordingly. For instance, while employed at the Westville Correctional Center, his supervisors, co-workers, and even the incarcerated residents liked and respected him, just as he respected everyone, gave everyone a chance and treated everyone fairly and equally. Many were surprised when Jon would receive heartfelt letters and cards from the incarcerated residents, not only for his birthday and holidays, but in general, thanking him for how decently and fairly he treated them, never judging them, nor anyone, whatsoever. During his Fourth Grade year at Yost Elementary School, he had a crush on a particular student in his grade, Ariel Roberts, who had a mutual crush on him. Though they had lost contact, fortunately, some years later, he reconnected with and subsequently married her. The two love birds reconnected in 2011, and were subsequently married on their favorite holiday, Halloween, October 31, 2018.

From there, the couple went on to have three sons, Trenton Taylor Dahlin, born on June 21, 2021, then their twins, Declan Wesley and Jaxon Alexander Dahlin, born on April 15, 2024, all who survive with their mother in Lake Station, along with their family pet, or as the boys call her, their sister, their Doberman Pinscher, Ruth. Besides marrying the love of his life, Jon stated that his three boys were the best thing that ever happened to him. He fought and worked very hard every single day, both before and after his Cancer diagnosis, all the way to the end, to give them and his Wife the best life that he could.

Also surviving are Jon’s Grandfather, Mr. Louis Milligan, his parents, Father, Brian C. Dahlin and Mother, Denise R. Milligan, Sister Brianna (Mason) Kronebusch (nee Dahlin), Father and Mother-In-Law, Ronnie and LuAnn Roberts, Brother-In-Laws, Justin (Jenna) Roberts and Michael (Sabrina) Roberts, Uncles, Chris J. (Tiffany) Dahlin, Carl L.“C.L.” Dahlin, Bob and Scott Milligan, Aunts, Lisa Milligan, and Brenda (Travis) Moreland. Jon was also survived by several cousins and their children, along with several nieces and nephews. Jon had a significant number of friends, good people that not only loved Jon, Ariel and their boys, but also the rest of the family.

Jon was preceded in passing by his grandparents, Carl Louis “Zip” Dahlin, Jr., Patricia Ann Dahlin (nee. Ozelie), and Joyce Milligan; Uncle, Carl Louis Dahlin III.

Jon never refused to help anyone with anything. Besides being a hard, dedicated worker, he would join anyone to help them in any way he could without hesitation or question. Other qualities that Jon had were care, compassion, love and unbridled dedication to everyone. He cared, but was very easy going and wanted everyone toenjoy themselves, have a good time, and to enjoy life! In his free time, he really enjoyed riding his Rukus, taking in the scenery and enjoying the fresh air, getting away from it all.

When his late Grandmother, Patricia Ann Dahlin was herself, plagued with Breast Cancer and had hit many lows, it was her then 8 month old Grandson, Jon, who motivated her to keep going, to keep fighting, and to never give up, qualities that Jon adopted into his own life.

Jon lived at Porter/Johnson’s Beach in Porter for the first 15 years of his life. Thus, we felt that it was appropriate to not only have a Celebration of Life, something that Jon both truly wanted, and the way that he lived, but to also have it at the Indiana Dunes, a place that he both lived at and loved. His service is being held on his Great-Grandfather, East Chicago City Councilman and District Fire Chief, Carl Louis Dahlin, Sr’s. 123rd Birthday.

Life will never be the same without Jon Dahlin. Unfortunately, he left us earlier than any of us would have wanted him to, leaving a deep scar in all of our hearts. However, he is no longer in pain and suffering. He has indeed left an incredible mark on all of us that cannot be replaced or replicated, and will always be etched in each and every one of our hearts forever. We cannot thank you, Jon, for everything, and for being the real, genuine gentleman that you were here on Earth and as you still are, watching over all of us! Rest easy our Dear Jonathan! We have you covered and will always be motivated by you and all of your positive attributes!!

A Celebration of Life will be held for Jon on Sunday, May 3, 2026 from 1-4 P.M. at the Dunes Pavilion, located at the Indiana Dunes State Park, 1600 N. 25 E., Chesterton, Indiana. Guests are asked, but are not required, to wear something relating to the Philadelphia Eagles, his favorite football team, something from the Van’s clothing or shoe line, something Halloween themed, or since Jon was open, and cared about everyone, just something casual. Please omit flowers. Donations may be made in honor and memory of Jon to a fund set up for his three sons, Trenton, Declan, and Jaxson: please go to:  https://www.supportnow.org/the-dahlin-family

Funeral arrangements and cremation services entrusted to FIFE FUNERAL HOME, 4201 Indianapolis Blvd., East Chicago, Indiana. To send an online condolence, logon to: fifefuneralhome.com

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