Daniel Joseph Schmelzle, 43, died unexpectedly on March 23,2021 at his place of employment. He was born November 18, 1977, one of seven sons and a daughter born to Robert and Laura (Wessel) Schmelzle.  

 Dan attended St. Michael’s grade school in Axtell, Kansas and graduated from Axtell High School in 1996.

 Dan was an athlete and active in football, basketball and baseball.  He played basketball for the Doane Tigers at Doane College in Crete, Nebraska, where he graduated with a major in biology.  After college, Dan moved to Eugene Oregon and later to the Vancouver, Washington area where he worked in quality assurance positions.

 He married Catherine McGurk in 2009, They later divorced.  Dan and Catherine have two sons, Jack Robert,12 and Gabriel Patrick, 10.  

 Dan was a stranger to no one.  He was a fun-loving favorite to his 23 nieces and nephews. He is already greatly missed by his many friends and family.

 Dan is survived by his parents and his brothers, Brian (Kim) of Overland Park, KS, Kirby (Kristin) of Seneca, Ks, Clint (Dana) of Seneca, Ks, Loren (Amy) of Axtell, Ks, Wade (Beth) of Riley, Ks, Allen from Pasadena, Tx, and a sister, Carla Yates of Grants Pass, Oregon.

  A graveside service is planned for 11 AM on Saturday, June 19th at St Peter and Paul Cemetery in Seneca.  Following the service, family and friends are invited to a gathering and meal in remembrance of Dan at the Seneca Community Center.