Larry Dean Harding

Larry Dean Harding was born on June 4, 1943 in Kendallville, Indiana, the second son of Dale and Anna Nettie Harding. Right from the start Larry was determined not to let what other people might think about him get in the way of what he wanted to do, be, or achieve. In preschool, he was told that he was too little to walk to school by himself. He was not having it. He walked seven country blocks each way, from day one without tears. In middle school, when he was told that he was too small and skinny to play basketball. He was not having it. By high school he was a 6' 1" guard on the basketball team. In an era where university and advanced degrees were the golden tickets to success, with only an associates degree in business and accounting, Larry built a 40-year long reputation of being a generous listener and a trusted, sage advisor to several individuals, privately-owned companies, and nonprofits in Michiana. He was a partner at Ernst & Whinney and then Crowe Chizek and a dedicated board chair at the Chamber of Commerce of St. Joseph County, Beacon Health System, Scholarship Foundation of St. Joseph County, and several other organizations. 

Right from the start Larry also recognized that achieving his goals would not be possible without friends and loved ones rooting him on, taking a chance on him, and motivating him. Some key examples of this include his grandmother Angeline Merkling, who loaned him the money to attend community college, two senior partners in a small accounting firm called M.O. Wolfe & Company that offered him his first accounting job before he was a CPA, his lifelong friends from South Bend Central High School and the Jaycees who helped him to the bring the right combination of humor, confidence, and empathy together when speaking in public, and his wife of 62 years Janice (Rudynski) Harding, who made sure that he paid back that loan, passed the CPA exam, and expected more for and from himself every day. Larry's stories of his achievements were always paired with a full appreciation for those who helped him.

When Larry was not reconciling debits and credits, he was attending Notre Dame men's and women's basketball games, listening to Harry Chapin, or driving in his '68 Austin Healey along the shores of South Haven, Michigan. But his greatest joy was found in helping his children and grandchildren grow into successful adults by championing their curiosity, cheering them on as a sideline coach or front-row audience member at their sporting and life events, and making sure education or a lack of self-confidence were not hurdles to their success.

Larry died on January 17, 2026 in South Bend, Indiana at the age of 82. He is preceded in death by his parents, Dale and Anna Nettie and brother, David. He is survived by his wife, Janice, and their three children (and spouses), Todd (David Lassiter) Harding, Brian (Maria) Harding, and Colleen (David) Newkirk, his grandchildren, Spencer Harding, Luke Denbow, Chloe Harding, Paige Harding, and Wesley (Marissa) Newkirk and many caring, supportive friends.

In keeping with his appreciation for those who opened doors for him, in lieu of flowers Larry's family suggests donations be made to the Scholarship Foundation of St. Joseph County, that has been and continues to be instrumental in helping local students achieve their educational and career dreams. And if you feel inspired to honor Larry, please consider mentoring someone, sharing your expertise freely, or simply taking time to listen. Larry believed those were life’s truest investments.

Larry's family invites you to attend his visitation on Sunday, January 25, 2026 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm (Eastern) at Kaniewski Funeral home in South Bend, Indiana, 3545 N. Bendix Drive.They will host a time for sharing at 6pm that evening. You are also invited to attend a viewing on Monday, January 26, 2026 at 10:00 am followed by mass at 11:00 am at St. Anthony de Padua Catholic Church in South Bend, 2310 East Jefferson Boulevard.

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