Overview

• Gary Wolfelt, a 72-year-old Indiana pilot, died on May 5 in a crash while flying a homemade plane he spent 17 years constructing.
• In a self-penned obituary, Wolfelt reflected on decades of close calls, humorously recounting incidents like being hit by a fly ball, a collapsing chimney, and a scaffold fall.
• Wolfelt highlighted his 40-year marriage, his love for dogs, and his gratitude for life’s joys, offering apologies and thanks to those he cared about.
• His obituary also outlined his final wishes: no traditional funeral, a celebration of life on May 19 in Lafayette, and donations to local animal rescues in lieu of flowers.
• The obituary, widely shared posthumously, has drawn attention for its wit and poignancy, offering a unique perspective on resilience and legacy.