Neighbors mourn Joliet father and son who drowned in lake near Indiana Dunes National Park
Peering into the front window of David Meneou’s house on suburban Joliet’s west side Wednesday morning, residents could see his Christmas tree pushed off to the side.
That’s one of the things his neighbor Joe Bannon liked about him.
“He put it in the front window, all decorated for Christmas. And then after Christmas, he slid it over to the corner of the living room where it's at the rest of the year," Bannon, 68, recalled. “He's a good guy, good neighbor. Loved his kid.”
Bannon was shocked to learn his neighbor for about the last nine years died over the July 4 holiday weekend, along with his son, while swimming in Lake Michigan near Dunes Acres, a small town near the Indiana Dunes National Park.
“It was very sad to hear. Very sad,” Bannon said.
According to the Indiana Conservation Office, 65-year-old Meneou died trying to rescue his 20-year-old son, Jameson Meneou, who lived in nearby Lockport.
The incident happened about 4:20 p.m. Saturday when conservation officers and National Park Rangers responded to a call.
Once arrived, Meneou and his son had been removed from the water by a Good Samaritan. They were brought to shore by boat while officials performed CPR. The two were taken to a local hospital where they were pronounced dead.
According to a preliminary investigation, Jameson, who had special needs, began to struggle when he got into deep water. His father tried to rescue him but also struggled.
Another neighbor, Bob Heinzel, isn’t surprised Meneou went after his son.
“There wasn’t any way he was going to let anything happen to his son. He was very devoted to his son. That’s what makes it even more tragic,” Heinzel said. “He was a really nice guy. I’m still in shock. A lot of us are.”
Heinzel, 69, said he enjoyed talking to David Meneou about cars and boats.
“He was easy going,” Heinzel said.
Heinzel said he learned about the tragic news from Bannon on Sunday afternoon.
“I knew he was out on his boat over the weekend,” Heinzel said. “I’ve talked to like five of the neighbors around here and they are just all in disbelief.”
Funeral services will be held Saturday morning at Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Palos Heights.
Michael Puente is a reporter for WBEZ