Eli Francis Schlafer

Eli Francis, age 6, was born on August 14, 2015, to Jason and Laura Schlafer in Indianapolis, Ind. Eli passed away on January 11, 2022, at Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis. His passing was very peaceful and full of love with his parents holding him.

We celebrate Eli - he was the most precious gift! In his six years of life - he changed and impacted so many lives. His warm smile. His kind, gentle spirit. His love for connecting and being with others. His courage and strength to persevere and fight again and again to be healthy and to grow stronger each day.

Because of Eli - we know more deeply about the love of God. We know about the gift of life. The blessing of others. And that there is always hope no matter what because of Christ and the joy we have in him for all of eternity.

Eli is survived by his parents and his younger sister Eleanor; his grandparents Robert and Sandy Schlafer and grandmother Sally Schwarz and his late grandfather Howard Schwarz; his aunt Laura (Joe) Houston, cousins Amelia and Max Houston; and his aunt Leah (Brian) Norton, and cousins Addy and Livy Norton.

We’ll continue celebrating Eli’s life this coming Saturday, January 15 with a memorial service at St. John’s Catholic Church (126 Georgia St, Indianapolis, IN) at 11 a.m. with a special lunch open to all at 12:30 p.m. at Northview Church - Binford campus (6620 Northview Way, Indianapolis). There will be balloons, coloring, Matchbox cars and fun food! We want to celebrate every child and family as we remember Eli!

To make a gift in Eli’s honor, please consider giving to:

Riley Cheer Guild - https://crm.bloomerang.co/HostedDonation?ApiKey=pub_0010780f-7ade-11e8-94a1-0a7fa948a058&WidgetId=23111680

Visually Impaired Preschool Services (Indiana) - https://secure.vips.org/forms/vips-indiana-holiday-donation-2021

Ronald McDonald House Central Indiana - https://rmhindiana.ejoinme.org/MyPages/DonationPage/tabid/35733/Default.aspx