Mr. David E. Levi

David E. Levi (Dave, Davey, Papa, Pop, Canon, Roy, etc..) 82, of Anderson, IN, after dodging real bullets and cancer three times, could not dodge this one, and went home to God and Mary on April 9, 2021, surrounded by family in his home in Anderson. Dave was born in Anderson, IN on July 22, 1938 to Wilton and Fannie Levi. He graduated from Anderson High School in 1956 where he was active in football and wrestling. He entered the Air Force that fall after graduation and earned the rank of Airman Second Class. He enjoyed the camaraderie of working within the crew of AC&W (Radar). He served basic training in San Antonio at Lackland AFB, assigned to Watertown, NY at Dry Hill in the 655th AFS, then in Eagle Pass, TX at the 733rd AFS. He truly enjoyed working with those two crews. It was here he discovered his passion for fast pitch softball, He was a catcher and played in the AF National Tournament. He had the great pleasure of playing against the famed King and His Court, Eddie Feigner. One of his greatest moments of personal pride was getting a hit off of Feigner. Mr. Feigner assured dad he would not be getting another and at his next at bat struck dad out… from second base! It was in Watertown that dad wooed and won the heart of Mary Louise Venditti (a highly entertaining story). They married Nov. 2, 1957. They moved to the base down in Texas and their first son Mike was born in 1959. Dave was honorably discharged in 1960. This led to another highly entertaining story as to how he ended up slyly getting mom to move to Anderson, Indiana and not to NY as she thought… or hoped… or prayed. His first job was as sale rep for Wonder Bread/Hostess. It was here that the Levi family began its long standing love of donuts, fruit pies, and an assortment of other baked goodies. He had stints at ALAC Laundry and JC Penny as part time work while he began his true vocation, becoming a very proud member of the Anderson Police Department. He was on the department from 1970 until he retired in 1990. The APD was like a second family, for all of us. He went from working a beat to working as a Juvenile detective, attaining the rank of Lieutenant. From there he went on to working Homicide. His last position was as liaison to the Prosecutor’s Office. During his tenure with the Police Department Dave was well-known for his work with youth of all ages, kids to teens. He was highly respected as a wrestling coach, mentor and counselor at the PAL Club. He was able to help countless families and teens struggling with life issues. It was a gift Dave had to the day he died. He had the distinction of being an Expert Marksman and received several accommodations and awards of distinction while on the department. Dave helped establish many of the child abuse protocols and procedures still used today. However, his proudest achievement was following a particular homicide case for years, which ended in a conviction. In addition to receiving special recognition from the department, the entire story was featured in True Detective Magazine. Upon retirement from the department, Dave then went on to his second major career as a Foreman for the Madison County Highway. While with The County he transitioned into being an advisor to the County Commissioners’ to help with the County Jail overcrowding issue. He officially retired, for the SECOND time, in 2010. Dave enjoyed his family and friends. He cherished faith, family, loyalty, truth and honor. He firmly believed that respect was earned. And to get respect one had to first give respect. He and mom fed thousands of people through the years. There were countless Italian feasts and fundraisers at various parishes. And then, there were even more, as head cook and coordinator for many years at the annual Knights of Columbus St Patrick’s Day celebration where Dave was a proud Fourth Degree Knight. If he wasn’t enjoying dinners with family and friends, he was out playing golf or rooting for IU. He was proud to say he beat Tony EVERY time they golfed, except for one particularly nasty course in upstate NY. Dave now joins Mary and both his parents in heaven. He is survived by his older brother Phil; all three of his children, Mike (Sheri), Tony (Camille), and Judi (Derrick) Ritter; grandchildren Casie, Dusty, Cory and Breann; and multiple “adopted” family members; and his family at Perkins Restaurant, his home away from home. It should also be noted, that even though she had no formal training, daughter Judi was his favorite podiatrist. A Funeral Mass of Celebration will be celebrated with cremains on April 23rd, at St Mary Church, 1115 Pearl St., in Anderson at 11:00am with The Rev Tom Metzger presiding. There will be a visitation at the church from 9:00am until 11:00am. Brown-Butz-Diedring Funeral Service & Crematory and cherished friend Reinhold Mueller is handling all of Dave’s arrangements. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Kids-TALK Children’s Advocacy Center of Madison County. https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/donor-form/?svcid=renxt&formId=db427c68-285b-413e-b0e5-ea9a0d28e1f2&envid=p-6TpnXQH2PUO_WyWG-Cjyjw