Daniel Leo Falvey

Colonel Daniel L. Falvey, USAF (retired), 68, of South Bend, IN, died on March 13, 2023, surrounded by his family, after a courageous 4+ year battle against cancer. He was born on April 20, 1954, in Bainbridge, MD, the son of the late Colonel Joseph L. and F. Marcia Falvey (Drake), of Auburn, NY. Dan grew up near several U.S. Air Force bases, the second oldest in a family that grew to four brothers and four sisters. Upon graduation from Bishop Ireton High School, Alexandria, VA, in 1971, he was selected to and attended the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO, carrying on the family tradition of service in the U.S. military. He was commissioned as an Air Force 2nd Lieutenant in 1975, beginning a successful 30-year career as a Logistics and Maintenance Operations officer, with increasing responsibilities that culminated with his promotion to the rank of Colonel. After retiring in 2005, Dan continued his service to the Air Force as an instructor at the Advanced Air Force Maintenance and Munitions Operations School at Nellis AFB, NV. There he taught and mentored the next generation of Air Force maintenance and logistics operations officers.

Dan’s devotion to the Air Force was only exceeded by his devotion to family. Blessed with two wonderful sons from a previous marriage, Christopher Falvey who predeceased him and Joseph Falvey of Milton, WA, he married his perfect life partner, Patricia Falvey (Wood), also a career Air Force officer, in 1982. Dan and Pat were blessed with three children, Lauren Bonadies (Tim) of Mishawaka, IN, Timothy Falvey of Charleston, SC, and Katherine Yoder (Jeff) of Bloomington, IN, and eight grandchildren – Cecilia, Simon, Oliver, John, Daniel, Eileen, Tala and Margaret. Dan adored his family, enjoyed a good meal, and treasured his many vacations and cruises with Pat.

Dan is also survived by his siblings David (Jody) Falvey, Pensacola, FL, Patricia Taylor, Milford, CT, Margaret (Daniel) Surdam, Skaneateles, NY, Joe (Anne) Falvey, Plymouth, MI, John (Deborah) Falvey, Granger, IN, Mary (Frank) Stephenson, Osceola, IN, and Amanda (John) Conmy, South Bend, IN, twenty nieces and nephews, and many grandnieces and grandnephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at St. Jude's Catholic Church, 19704 Johnson Rd., South Bend, IN. Friends may visit with the family from 4:00 p.m.– 7:00 p.m. on Friday, March 17, 2023, at Palmer Funeral Home - Welsheimer North Chapel, 17033 Cleveland Road, South Bend. Additional visitation will be held one hour prior to Mass at the church. Interment will be held at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made In honor of Colonel Falvey to The Christ Child Society of South Bend, 2366 Miracle Lane, Mishawaka, IN 46545 or St. Jude Parish, 19704 Johnson Rd., South Bend, or Center for Hospice Care, 501 Comfort Pl, Mishawaka, IN 46545.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.