Daniel Louis Schaefer

The funeral service will be live-streamed, Monday, March 7, 2022 beginning just prior to 11 a.m. (EST). To view click the following link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF3Bk_heBuiMErAWRfv-1nQ/live

Elkhart City’s “Dispatcher Dan” Schaefer, 49, of Goshen, passed away quietly on Tuesday, March 2 ^nd , 2022, at Goshen Hospital with his wife Kelli at his side.  Born in Elkhart to Michael and Patt (Robinson) Schaefer, Dan was a graduate of the Elkhart Memorial Class of 1991.  Dan attended Indiana University, South Bend, from 1991-93, studying Criminal Justice & Police Science.

Dan led a life of community service, beginning with volunteer experience as a firefighter, Captain, and an EMT for the Cleveland Twp. Fire Department for over 18 years.  He worked as a Public Safety Dispatcher for the City of Elkhart from 1999 until 2005.  He also was a police officer for the Town of Bristol from 2000-2007.  He then worked as a Park Police Officer for the City of South Bend from 2008 - 2013.

When it comes to choosing a career, they say to ‘ do what you love ’ and Dan returned to the City of Elkhart, working as their Training Coordinator at the 911 Communications Center.  It was there at his dispatch desk that Dan felt he could make the most impact to help his community.

In April 2018, Dan received the Michiana Homes for Heroes Award for going above and beyond in service to the Elkhart City community through his dedication on the job.

Dan married the ‘love of his life’, Kelli Elrod on December 31, 2021.   Dan and Kelli had reconnected after knowing each other since senior high church camp, a love-story 30+ years in the making.  She survives along with Dan’s daughter, Tatum Schaefer of Floyd Knobs, his parents, Mike & Patt Schaefer of Dallas, Georgia, (formerly of Elkhart), his sister, Tara (Mike) Jones, and nephews Ethan and Kolton Jones, all of Dallas, Georgia and aunts Pat Harvey and Judy Lewis of Elkhart, and Teri Robinson of Marietta, Georgia.  Mother-in-law, Dessie Harley, step-daughter Brittni (James) Fitzsimmons, and step-grandchildren Lorenzo, Lennox, and Arya were also a special part of Dan’s extended family.  Dan also leaves behind numerous friends and co-workers who mourn the loss of a true friend and a dedicated colleague with an “infectious smile” and treasure the shared memories of a lifetime.

Friends will be received Sunday, March 6, 2022, from 1 to 3 and 5 to 7 p.m. at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, where an 11 a.m. Monday, March 7, 2022, funeral service will be held.  Elkhart Police Department Chaplain Jason Brooks will officiate.

Burial will follow in Violett Cemetery, Goshen.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the National Kidney Foundation of Indiana.