Christopher Patrick Deneen, “Deeno” as he is known by close friends and family, age 35, of Niles, Michigan, was taken to heaven on Monday, January 9, 2023. 

Chris was born on January 7, 1988, in South Bend, Indiana to Michael and Nancy (Overholser) Deneen.  Chris is survived by his parents and two sisters, Amy (Matthew) Porter of Osceola, and Laura (Neal) Smith of Surprise, AZ. He is also survived by his fiancé, Victoria Jowers, the love of his life. He was preceded in death by their daughter Harper Marie Deneen.  He was also preceded in death by his grandparents, Sharon & Patrick Deneen, Thomas & Jacquelyn Overholser, and aunts Sue Monahan and Jane Strom. 

Chris was proud to be an altar boy at St. Anthony DePadua Catholic Church where he attended elementary school. He graduated from Clay High School in South Bend in 2006.  Throughout grade school and high school, Chris was a multi-sport athlete.  He excelled in baseball, football, basketball, rugby and golf.  He loved fishing, boating, water skiing and snowboarding.  He also loved hiking trails with family and friends in Wyoming, the Rocky Mountains and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  He loved whitewater rafting, camping, and biking. 

His greatest passion was disc golf.   He was a member of the Michiana Disc Golf  Association and the Professional Disc Golf Association.  He qualified and competed in the 2017 PDGA Amateur World Disc Golf Championship in Iowa. 

Early in his career, Chris traveled the country working for Google Earth.  For the last 7 years he worked as a CDL truckdriver for Co-Alliance in Buchanan, Michigan.  He loved his job and had a special bond with his co-workers who he considered great friends. 

Chris is described by all who knew him as happy, fun loving, considerate, and caring.  He was loved by everyone he met and touched countless lives.  He was always generous and the first to help his friends and family.   Chris had a special connection with animals and loved his pets Snoop and Rudy.

Chris's home was the weekend gathering place for his beloved friends where he prepared countless meals on the grill.  He was passionate about Notre Dame and Chicago Bears Football.  He was known for his great hugs, contagious smile and unforgettable whistle.  He will be greatly missed and never forgotten and his spirit will live on forever. 

Through Gifts of Life of Michigan, as a donor, Chris potentially saved up to 150 lives.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation online at myotonic.org or mail to Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation, 663 Thirteenth Street, Suite 100, Oakland, CA 94612. 

A memorial Mass for Christopher will be held at 11:30 am on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at St Pius X Church, 52553 N. Fir Road, Granger, Indiana 46530, with Monsignor William Schooler officiating.  Friends can visit with family from 9:30 am-11:30 am.

02/04/2023 JFC