Elisha (Eli) Kelly Saffen

A thing that does not change with time is a memory of younger days. 

Obituary

Elisha (Eli) Kelly Saffen passed away on July 18, 2025 in Glendale, Colorado.


Eli was born October 3, 1996 in Columbus, Ohio. He was the son of Stuart Randall (Randy) Saffen and Terra Twardy Saffen.

They moved to Indiana and Eli graduated with honors from Zionsville Community High School in 2015. He earned a bachelor's degree in environmental science from Purdue University in 2019.

Eli worked as an Arborist at Natural Way in Denver, Colorado where his love for nature and trees was evident every day. Working as an Arborist he utilized the science which he loved in the care and management of trees.

Eli loved being one with nature, having deep contemplative conversations with family and loved ones, and he had a hilariously wicked sense of humor.

Eli had a heart that was simply too large for this life, his empathy too strong, and his soul too bright. There were no shallow relationships in Eli’s life, everyone that knew him, knew him deeply, and vice versa.

Eli was proceeded in death by his loving grandfathers, James Saffen Sr. and Garett Twardy. Remaining to cherish Eli’s memory are his parents, Randy and Terra Saffen; grandparents, Dave and Shirley Smith, and Debbie Twardy; uncles and aunts, James (Jim) Saffen, Shamess and Micah Twardy, Josh and Becky Twardy, and Justin Twardy; cousins, Chloe, Emma, and Lucy Twardy, Isabelle and Jake Twardy; as well as a multitude of friends who loved and adored Eli.

A Celebration of Life will be held October 25, 2025, 5pm-10pm at the American Legion, 9950 E County Road 600 S, Zionsville, IN.

Prior to the celebration, family members and friends will be visiting the Overleys Worman Park where Eli’s close friends, Derek Muller, Nathan Valle, Joey Banks, Michael Kasnick and Zach Reisenbigler, have arranged for two Allegheny Serviceberry Trees to be planted in Eli’s name, as well as memorial plaques and park bench.

Details and more information may be obtained by calling Shamess Twardy at 949-923-7088.

The family is thankful to Eli’s friends for their time and dedication to procuring a beautiful place in remembrance of Eli forever. Gratitude goes out to all those who have supported the family with their kind words, endless prayers, and financial contributions.

Eli’s eternal soul shines brighter today
it is deeply rooted in the ones he chose
though it brings pain to see it this way
our tears will create a river that flows
to merge with his ashes and create new life
for birds to perch on the branches of our sorrow
but we remember those moments of joy
and his memories will help us to grow

Gallery

Memory wall

August 3, 2025

“Allegheny Grows”

Winds whisper
The words I wish I knew.
The forest now sings
A softer song in lieu.

Memories sprouted
Beneath the clay.
They blossom with warmth
In shadows of your shade.

You’ll never sing alone.

The trees lean in,
They seem to hear.
A rustled breeze
Rings crisp and clear.

Your hymn and dance of leaves anew,
As every season leaves and blooms.
Yet summer is colder.
Winter’s burn brews.

I’ll never walk alone.

Fruit may fall
Before its time,
Yet branches stretch
And still you climb.

Forever you’ll be
Rooted in the best of me.
And the birds will always sing
Our chorus under your canopy.

Allegheny.
Your harmony.

Derek Muller

August 3, 2025

I didn’t know Eli well. But when I was around him, I could see how deeply he was loved by those around him, both family and friends. I remember feeling that he and his mom had a very special connection. I could see so much love there. So many beautiful things here written about this young man. It’s such a great loss to have him gone so young. I love the way. Justin described him being together now with his grandfather written in a very special tribute to him. Bless his soul.

Georgia Reedy

August 3, 2025

Dear Eli,

I'm so sorry to see you go so soon. You were the first person I met during my semester exchange abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark back in 2019 when we were lining up to collect our student ID card. I turned around to strike up a random conversation with you and I remember distinctively you were kind, friendly, and easy to talk to. Since then whenever we would hang out with our group of friends, I would always feel at ease chatting with you with random topics and your smart sense of humour. I still remember our trips to Malmo, Odense, and Aarhus with our friends, ticking off our travel bucket list together. I'm glad we got to hang out more since our first meet as you've always got this great energy being around with.

I still recall me and Trish helping you with your luggage to the airport for your trip back home that year, and I didn't think that would be the last time I would see you in person. I was rereading our messages back in 2023 and how I mentioned I planned to see you in Colorado once I get to move to America in future. I'm sad that's not going to happen but I'm sure we will reconnect again whereever the universe takes us.

Thank you for being apart of what was the best experience of my life in Denmark. I still think back to those good times we had and how lucky I was to find such a close knit of friends from all over the world whom we still all keep in contact - you will always be apart of our Copenhagen memories Eli.

Your sincerely,
Zen

Zen Pham

August 2, 2025

I was going to text Eli this morning and ask him when he wanted to lose at Super Smash Bros again, but then I stumbled on this post. It’s weird because I’m almost never on Facebook anymore.

I met Eli while we were working up in northern California on the utility lines. Eli became part of our group that shared housing. There were four of us but me and Eli were the ones that tried to beat each other at Super Smash Bros. He beat me a few times but he would almost always lose and ask for a rematch.

I remember playing Settlers of Catan with him one night when the power went out. It had been out for a few days and he brought out the game. None of us but Eli knew the rules, but after 2hrs he still managed to lose.

A few days later he got in a car accident, and we picked him up from the county jail, he was freaking out but I remember telling him we were just happy he was okay. His mom came to see him almost immediately and she stayed with us for a few days. She made us all chicken noodle soup (Eli had been talking about how amazing his mom’s soup was and he wasn’t lying). I remember her saying, “I’m just glad you’re safe, you stupid beautiful boy” as she held onto him trying not to cry.

When he left, I gave him my hat, because his hair was a mess and he gave us his board game of settlers of catan. He said that way when he would visit he could get a rematch.

We stayed in contact after he moved to Indiana and then Colorado. Eli visited us a few times in southern California too. He always asked about my carne asada recipe, never gave it to him, but didn’t stop him from trying to get it. We were planning on seeing him in December again this year.

Ah man, I’m sorry buddy. Wish you were still here.

John Zepeda

August 2, 2025

I remember meeting eli at the Knights at lake george. I remember his bubbly laugh and smile. I remember the deep conversations we had. I remember the love his parents, uncle, and aunt had for him. He was an amazing kid. Reflective and good humored. His journey in life was powerful and illuminating. Well mourn that it wasn't long enough. My condolences.

Jezy Roberts

August 1, 2025

I am so sad for Terra, my dear cousin, as well as the rest of the family, but so happy that she - all of us - got to know Eli. I remember him as a happy kid with a mischievous smile and a really developed sense of humor. Even looking through his pictures now you can always see that little boy in his face. Eli, we will miss you and remember you with a smile. Prayers for the family, a son gone too soon. We love you all! ❤️

Jessica Twardy Roberts

August 1, 2025

My name is Justin Elisha Twardy, Terra’s youngest brother, and I had the incredible honor of being Eli’s uncle and namesake. I’ve known him since the moment he entered this world—and in many ways, he changed mine.

Eli, like our mutual namesake the prophet Elisha, carried a double portion of spirit. His shone in his brilliance and humor. He had this way of making you feel like your thoughts mattered—like your weirdest ideas were worth exploring. He saw the world through a lens that was uniquely his, always searching for truth, connection, and meaning, even in the messiest corners of life.

He was deeply thoughtful, wildly funny, and endlessly curious. He could find beauty in awkwardness, clarity in chaos, and wisdom in the unspoken. He loved big. And when he trusted you, he trusted you with his whole self.

The weekly calls we shared this past year mean everything to me now. We shared our struggles and our hopes. He fought so hard, and I’ll always believe he was trying. He never gave up on the people he loved.

One of the deepest relationships in Eli’s life was with his grandfather—my dad—Garett Twardy, his beloved Papo. They saw the world in remarkably similar ways. They shared a love of laughter, of long conversations about philosophy, science, and all the mysteries that sat just on the edge of understanding. They would sit for hours, telling the same old jokes, being silly, and speaking in a kind of language only the two of them could really follow. It wasn’t just intellect—it was joy, curiosity, and a bond rooted in love. Eli missed his Papo deeply. And I believe—truly—that their spirits are together now, sitting in the grass just outside the Hundred Acre Wood. A song from an ocarina plays softly in the air, a swarm of bumblebees hovers nearby, and time stretches out like a lazy afternoon. Maybe, just beyond the trees, there's even a glimpse of a hidden castle—only visible to those who still believe in magic.

I miss him more than I can say. But I’ll carry him with me always—in the quiet, in the questions, and in the trees.

You mattered, Eli. You still do.
Love always,
Uncle Justy

Justin Elisha Twardy

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