Darryl Ray Lem

March 19, 1934- July 6, 2025

“You Are My Sunshine” was a song Darryl Lem, sangoften to his young daughters, and it aptly describes the illumination he brought to all who knew him.

He was born in Hammond, IN, in 1934 to Hanna and Irving Lem, a well-regarded local dentist, and grew up alongside his younger sister, Marlene, often visiting family in Pittsburgh. His grandmother Libby Goldstein Brown was a constant loving presence in his life.

After graduating from Thorton Fractional North High School in 1952, he attended the University of IL-Champaign for both his undergraduate and law degrees.  From his time in Phi Sigma Delta, he developed life-long friendships.

While a new lawyer starting out in private practice, he met Joanne Lewis from Hyde Park, and the two wed in 1960.  In their Calumet City home, they raised three girls, Lisa, Ellyn and Holly.   As the family grew, they built a beautiful home in Munster, IN possessing unique features such an ice-skating rink, a “sports court” and lush gardens. Summers were spent sharing quality time on vacations ranging from trips to the Southwest, a cruise, Europe, in addition to idyllic summers in South Haven, Michigan’s Sleepy Hollow.​

After Darryl and Joanne’s divorce, he met his perfect match, Iris Johns, and they were married in 1996.  In their 28 years of marriage, they took incredible care of the otherand enjoyed taking classes on a variety of subjects, frequenting restaurants with friends, watching their Sunday morning news shows, doing nightly Wordle, and sharing a love of animals, including talking about getting a new pet after their treasured Ally passed!

Darryl was a dedicated member of Congregation Beth Israel for over 60 years and joyously celebrated the Jewish holidays with family.

Anyone who knew him, knew he was a “super fan” of his grandchildren: Courtney (Lindenman) Kempen, Brent Lindenman, Ethan and Cole Huskey and Hanna and Lily Lem-Moustakas.  And they were “super fans” of him texting often, sharing new TV show ideas, and doing board game marathons. Darryl was thrilled to become a great grandfather with the recent birth of Quinn Eloise Kempen.

Darryl is survived by his beloved wife, Iris; his daughters, Lisa (Lawrence) Lindenman, Ellyn Lem (Trevor Huskey) and Holly Lem (Nick Moustakas); and his sister, Marlene (Louis) Kaplan.

We will miss his constant love and support, his goodness, his presence and just hearing his voice on a daily basis.

Funeral Services will be held at Kish Funeral Home 10000 Calumet Ave. Munster, IN on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. Interment to follow at Kneseth Israel Cemetery Hammond, IN. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m.  The Jewish tradition of Shiva will be Wednesday and Thursday at 5:30-7:30 at 924 Muirfield Ct. Schererville, IN.

Donations in Darryl’s honor can be made to Make-a-Wish Foundation.

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