IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Daniel
Holly
January 18, 1945 – November 28, 2025
Obituary
Daniel James Holly, 80, was born January 19, 1945, to Jeremiah and Loretta Holly. Endearingly called Danny in his younger years, he grew up on East Taber Street, the second youngest of eight. He sometimes told tales of childhood mischief but most fondly, and most frequently, recounted stories about Lady and her pups, protecting others from mistreatment, and the jobs he worked at a young age to contribute to his family's finances. He attended Our Lady of the Lake Seminary in Wawasee, Indiana, for high school before realizing his fondness for women would preclude a life of celibacy. Majoring in psychology, Dan worked his way through college at Saint Francis in Fort Wayne, where he would meet the love of his life, Charlene Rolf, in religion class. Charlene cites his sophistication, "sports jacket, smoking habit, and confident swagger," as clutch in wooing her into courtship until they married in July of 1968.
Upon graduating college, Dan voluntarily enlisted in the United States Army in 1967 and served in Vietnam from August 1968 until June 1969 in the Americal Division. Albeit brief, Dan's time in service had an outsized impact on his life, shaping much of his worldview and deepening his appreciation for family, peace and community. After returning from Vietnam, Dan joined the team at State Farm Insurance and grew roots on the south end of Fort Wayne where he and Charlene raised their three children in a home nestled between Foster Park and "The Fields." Like State Farm's motto, Dan was a good neighbor, helping the elderly and raising his children to do the same. He was not like other dads of his time – preferring Westerns to sports, washing and ironing clothing, and doing his daughters' hair before school. His humor was a hallmark, his laughter contagious. Even if his jokes fell flat, he always "cracked (himself) up" and encouraged his children to "maintain a sense of humor at all costs." When his kids fought, he frequently quoted John 13:34-35 and encouraged them to "love one another as I have loved you."
To Dan, there was nothing more important than family, immediate or extended. He lived close to his parents; cherished conversations with siblings; and never passed up an opportunity to attend family events. Dan extended this same commitment and loyalty to his clients during his 40 years as a State Farm Insurance Agent and to the South Side High School community during the eight years his children attended. Affectionately nicknamed "Dan the Camera Man," he voluntarily captured special moments on film and donated thousands of pictures to the Archers and found enduring friendships within the "South Side Six."
In the later years of his life, Dan enjoyed supplying his grandchildren with an ample array of sugar, philosophizing on the state of political affairs, and elevating his once self-professed "medical miracle" status to a professionally endorsed reality. During his 80 years on this Earth, he meant much to many and will be remembered for his kindness, generosity, and strength. One of his most cherished quotes embodies him most aptly : "Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength ." – Saint Francis de Sales
Dan is preceded in death by his parents, Jeremiah and Loretta Holly; his parents-in-law, Wayne and Mary Dorothy (McLaughlin) Rolf; and siblings Sister Patricia Holly, Michael Holly, Sheila (Holly) and David Freigburger, Jim Shultz, Margaret (Holly) and Ike Hullinger. He is survived by his wife, Charlene (Rolf) Holly; children Matt and Allison (Borzelli) Holly, Erin (Holly) and Brian Martin, Kate (Holly) and Nate Conkey; siblings Kathleen (Holly) and Ed Stark, Sarah (Giles) Holly, Father Dennis Holly, Mary (Holly) Shultz and Gerry Jones, Eric and Peggy Rolf, Ted Rolf, and Tom and Vicki Rolf. Dan is also survived by 11 grandchildren (Morgan, Rachel, Blake, Cameron, Kayla, Aidan, CJ, Marin, Katelyn, Ava, and Grayson) and 32 nieces and nephews.
He will be remembered for his kindness, humor, and unwavering devotion to those he loved; his legacy lives on in the family he cherished and the many lives he quietly strengthened.
Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, December 5, 2025 at St. Peter's Catholic Church (518 E Dewald St, Fort Wayne, IN 46803) at 11:00 am with visitation one hour prior. Visitation will also be on Thursday, December 4, 2025 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Fairhaven Funeral Home and Cremation Services (6557 N. Clinton Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46825). Burial will follow the funeral mass at the Catholic Cemetery, Fort Wayne.
Dan was always concerned for the welfare of others and would appreciate donations in lieu of flowers to one of the following organizations:
Upon graduating college, Dan voluntarily enlisted in the United States Army in 1967 and served in Vietnam from August 1968 until June 1969 in the Americal Division. Albeit brief, Dan's time in service had an outsized impact on his life, shaping much of his worldview and deepening his appreciation for family, peace and community. After returning from Vietnam, Dan joined the team at State Farm Insurance and grew roots on the south end of Fort Wayne where he and Charlene raised their three children in a home nestled between Foster Park and "The Fields." Like State Farm's motto, Dan was a good neighbor, helping the elderly and raising his children to do the same. He was not like other dads of his time – preferring Westerns to sports, washing and ironing clothing, and doing his daughters' hair before school. His humor was a hallmark, his laughter contagious. Even if his jokes fell flat, he always "cracked (himself) up" and encouraged his children to "maintain a sense of humor at all costs." When his kids fought, he frequently quoted John 13:34-35 and encouraged them to "love one another as I have loved you."
To Dan, there was nothing more important than family, immediate or extended. He lived close to his parents; cherished conversations with siblings; and never passed up an opportunity to attend family events. Dan extended this same commitment and loyalty to his clients during his 40 years as a State Farm Insurance Agent and to the South Side High School community during the eight years his children attended. Affectionately nicknamed "Dan the Camera Man," he voluntarily captured special moments on film and donated thousands of pictures to the Archers and found enduring friendships within the "South Side Six."
In the later years of his life, Dan enjoyed supplying his grandchildren with an ample array of sugar, philosophizing on the state of political affairs, and elevating his once self-professed "medical miracle" status to a professionally endorsed reality. During his 80 years on this Earth, he meant much to many and will be remembered for his kindness, generosity, and strength. One of his most cherished quotes embodies him most aptly : "Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength ." – Saint Francis de Sales
Dan is preceded in death by his parents, Jeremiah and Loretta Holly; his parents-in-law, Wayne and Mary Dorothy (McLaughlin) Rolf; and siblings Sister Patricia Holly, Michael Holly, Sheila (Holly) and David Freigburger, Jim Shultz, Margaret (Holly) and Ike Hullinger. He is survived by his wife, Charlene (Rolf) Holly; children Matt and Allison (Borzelli) Holly, Erin (Holly) and Brian Martin, Kate (Holly) and Nate Conkey; siblings Kathleen (Holly) and Ed Stark, Sarah (Giles) Holly, Father Dennis Holly, Mary (Holly) Shultz and Gerry Jones, Eric and Peggy Rolf, Ted Rolf, and Tom and Vicki Rolf. Dan is also survived by 11 grandchildren (Morgan, Rachel, Blake, Cameron, Kayla, Aidan, CJ, Marin, Katelyn, Ava, and Grayson) and 32 nieces and nephews.
He will be remembered for his kindness, humor, and unwavering devotion to those he loved; his legacy lives on in the family he cherished and the many lives he quietly strengthened.
Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, December 5, 2025 at St. Peter's Catholic Church (518 E Dewald St, Fort Wayne, IN 46803) at 11:00 am with visitation one hour prior. Visitation will also be on Thursday, December 4, 2025 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Fairhaven Funeral Home and Cremation Services (6557 N. Clinton Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46825). Burial will follow the funeral mass at the Catholic Cemetery, Fort Wayne.
Dan was always concerned for the welfare of others and would appreciate donations in lieu of flowers to one of the following organizations:
- Doctors Without Borders, 40 Rector St., 16th Floor, NY, NY 10006
- Feed the Children, P. O. Box 36, Oklahoma City, OK 73101-0036
- St. Jude Research Hospital, 50 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Daniel Holly, please visit our flower store.
Services
Second Visitation
December
5
St. Peter's Catholic Church
10:00 - 11:00 am
Mass of Christian Burial
December
5
St. Peter's Catholic Church
Starts at 11:00 am
Interment
Visitation
December
4
FairHaven Funeral Home and Cremation Services
4:00 - 8:00 pm
Daniel Holly's Guestbook
Visits: 424
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