A Chicago man who died in a massive pileup on Interstate 94 in northwestern Indiana was on his way to check on his retirement home with his dog.

Sixty-five-year-old Jerry Dalrymple died along with his black Labrador retriever, Sparky. His sister, Deanna Dalymple, says he was a year or so away from retiring to a lake home in La Porte, Ind. She says he was headed there to check the property Thursday when he was killed in the crash.

Dalrymple was a married father of four grown children. He was a former music teacher and played the organ at his church.

He was one of three who died in the pileup in near whiteout conditions. Sixty-seven-year-old Thomas Wolma and 65-year-old Marilyn Wolma of Grand Rapids also died.