Universally loved, Daniel Patrick Helfrich was born November 17th, 1952 in St. Louis, MO. The third son of Clarence H "Dan" Helfrich and Dorothy Stuppy Helfrich; and sibling to Dale, Don, and Doug; although he was everybody's brother.
Happy to survive St. Louis, Dan attended Murray State University on a football scholarship where he met the love of his life, Karan. While in college, Dan enrolled in ROTC and through football made many of his lifelong friends.
After graduation, Dan was commissioned as an officer and stationed in Ft. Carson, CO where he served in the Army as Airborne and Tank Commander and saw the birth of his daughter, Kalen.
After the military, his professional career took him to Houston, Texas. Eventually, Dan and his family set roots in Louisville, KY as he continued his success in the private sector, and for a time, served on the board of the Oxmoor Country Club, continuing his love for the sport of golf.
Dan fought hard for 8 years with positivity, humor and grace as he provided strength for those around him. The family thanks the tireless efforts of the many nurses, truly angels on earth, who throughout the years, worked to save Dan's life. Two doctors specifically, Dr. John Snell and Dr. Edward Adler, treated Dan as a patient, but more importantly as a human, with Love and Compassion.
Dan was preceded in death by his father, Clarence H. Helfrich; mother, Dorothy Helfrich; stepmother, Viola Gunther Helfrich; and his brother, Dale Helfrich.
Dan is survived by his wife of 45 years, Karan Sweeney Helfrich; daughter, Kalen Helfrich; son-in-law, Jared Manning; brothers, Don (Rhonda) and Doug (Stephanie); sister-in-law, Joy Helfrich Kullman; nephew, Dale Helfrich, who Dan considered a son; and his, wife Jenny; their two daughters, Sydney and Maddy, as well as nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.
His memorial funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00am on Saturday, April 10, at St. Agnes Catholic Church, with burial of ashes to follow in Calvary Cemetery. Memorial visitation will be from 4-8 pm Friday at Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Road.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to: Murray State Racer Football Alumni Association 601 Nancy Drive, Murray, Ky 42071 or The Arrow Fund P.O. Box 1127, Prospect, KY 40059.