Luke Christopher Van Deman, 42 of Greenwood, IN passed away on Sunday, August 3, 2025 in Greenwood, IN. He was born May 18th, 1983, in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, to Mark and Susan (Moore) Van Deman.

If Luke were around, he would have hated all the attention he's been getting lately. The fifth-born in a family of nine boys, Luke was the ultimate middle-child, never seeking the spotlight unless he had a witty joke he couldn't help telling. As my niece so beautifully put it, "Uncle Luke was such a light to everyone around him, and somehow he never knew it".

Luke's favorite mode of light-bringing was practical jokes. During his time at Whiteland High School, Luke (allegedly) caused a school-wide evacuation by sneaking onto campus and depositing several skunk-extract-soaked rags in the AC intake vents. The mystery remains unsolved. Brother Nate (number six) still has a scar on his calf where Luke ambushed him with a rubber-band-powered bow and hand-fletched kebab skewers after hiding for hours in full Native American garb, complete with war paint. Every prank was followed by raucous, uncontrollable laughter you couldn't help but join in on, even if you were the target.

Luke was also incredibly determined (read: stubborn) in areas outside of pranking. Luke signed up for the Marines without telling Mom and Dad. I think he was afraid they would talk him out of it. As a helicopter crew chief in the Marine Corps, Luke deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, led rooftop evacuations during Hurricane Katrina, rescued piracy victims off the Somali coast, and even escorted the President in formation with Marine One. After an honorable discharge and six medals, Luke worked for over a decade as a security contractor in Afghanistan, training and supporting U.S. and Afghan forces.

When I reflect on Luke's life, it's no surprise he found so much purpose in a life of service. From the time I can remember, Luke was building us toys and giving the best Christmas gifts. Generosity poured out of him like water. Every time I called him while he was on a home rotation, he was at a different neighbor's house, fixing brakes or plumbing. No matter what time I showed up at his house, he'd have a gourmet meal ready for me. Though Luke would give a stranger the shirt off his back, his love for his daughters was without comparison.

At every social gathering, all the brothers love to bring up our unique childhoods. The death-defying (mis)adventures and outrageous antics feel like they could make it on Netflix. After remarking on how our mother must be a saint (she is, truthfully), the next question we always get is when the nine of us were last together. With Luke gone, the story feels broken. I can never share those memories again without feeling like a piece of me is missing.

Luke's passing leaves an unfillable hole in the hearts of his two daughters, Isabelle Lane and Abigail Elise; his parents, Mark and Susan; his eight brothers, William, Bret, Benjamin, John, Nathan, Caleb, Jacob, and Zachary; his seven sisters-in-law; nine nieces; seven nephews; nine uncles; nine aunts; twenty-four cousins; and countless friends who have truly, unequivocally, been blessed to know Luke.

A graveside service will be conducted on Thursday, August 14, 2025 at 3PM at Greenwood Cemetery 620 West Main Street in Greenwood, IN with the United States Marine Corps Honor Guard and Franklin American Legion Post 205 Honor guard conducting military honors.

Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin, IN is handling the arrangements.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.swartzmortuary.com.  Information 317-738-0202.