Daniel L. "Big Dan" Sallee, age 45 of Elwood went to his Eternal Home quietly on Saturday, June 11, 2016 surrounded by his family at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis after courageously surviving cancer for 5 years. He was born November 9, 1970 in Elwood, the son of Stanley H. and Rita M. (Riddle) Sallee. He formerly worked for 6 years prior to his illness for the City of Noblesville as a Wastewater Technician, and he formed several close friendships during that time. Dan was a 1989 graduate of Elwood Community High School where he was active in sports. He was proud to be a member of the 1987 Elwood Panther State Runner-Up football team. He later attended Moraine Valley College in Chicago where he played football and received an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice. He was baptized in the Christian Church. Dan loved music and was an accomplished musician with the ability to play anything with strings - especially the five-string banjo. He was a fan of NASCAR racing and Dale Earnhardt was his favorite driver. He was also an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing with his family and several lifelong friends. Dan was extremely devoted to his family; loved spending time with children; and was known as "Uncle D" to all his special nieces and nephews in his life. He was a gentle giant with a great sense of humor and a big heart. Dan will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by all.

Dan's family includes his mother, Rita M. Sallee of Silver Lake; 2 daughters, Allison Nicole Sallee of Fishers, and Kristen Marie Sallee of Fishers; sister, Donna (husband Nate) Saldana of Kokomo; 2 brothers, Stanley J. (wife Michelle) Sallee of Silver Lake, and Kenny (wife Amber) Sallee of Elwood; several nieces and nephews including Michael Saldana, Miranda Saldana, Mallory Saldana, Randy Moore, Brad Moore, Spencer Sallee, Jacob Daniel "JD" Sallee, Holly Sallee, Hunter Sallee, Kendra Sallee, Courtney Etchison, Kendra Etchison, Ryan Williamson, and Adam Williamson; great nephew, Ezekial Moore; great niece, Layla Moore; several aunts, uncles, and cousins; a very special companion, Candice Maki-Denoo of Ft. Wayne; and numerous close, lifelong friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Stanley H. Sallee in 2011, and his grandparents.

A funeral service celebrating Dan's life will be conducted at 1:00 PM Thursday, June 16, 2016 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood with Rev. Brad Moore of Open Door Church of God in Alexandria officiating. Entombment will follow in the Elwood City Cemetery Mausoleum. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 2 to 8 PM on Wednesday, June 15, 2016 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, Dan's family requests memorial contributions be made through the funeral home to the Allison and Kristen Sallee College Fund established at Madison County Federal Credit Union. Online condolences to the Sallee family may be made at copherfeslermay.com.