Louis Dean Kelly, 87 of Washington, IN passed on to his heavenly home Saturday morning, May 16, 2026, at Deaconess Memorial Medical Center in Jasper.
Dean was born on August 10, 1938, to James and Ruth (Barber) Kelly. Born and raised in Washington, Dean was a member of the WHS Marching Band and graduated from Washington High School in 1956. On April 21, 1968, he married Ruth Jane (Pennington). They had 53 wonderful years together before her passing March 24, 2022.
Dean proudly served in the Indiana National Guard for 28 years. Dean was retired from the Washington City Light and Power. He was a member of Bethel Church of Washington. Dean was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed water skiing and caving when he was younger and spent many years hunting deer and wild turkeys. He recently enjoyed a hunting trip with his daughters to Missouri where he killed his 50th wild turkey.
Those left to cherish his memory and celebrate his life include: daughters and sons-in-law, Susan and Brandon Hess, Montgomery and Sherri and Ted Cline, Washington; grandsons, Garrett Hess (Mia Werner) and Bradley Hess (Brooklynn Evans); sister-in-law, Gail (Archie) Devore, Broken Arrow, OK; niece, Robyn Devore, Tulsa, OK.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth and his parents, James & Ruth (Barber) Kelly.
Friends and family will gather to honor Dean’s memory at Bethel Church of Washington, South Campus, 3709 South 50 West, Washington, Indiana. A Memorial service for Louis Dean Kelly will be Friday, May 22, at 1 pm also at the church. Visitation will be from 9 until the time of service. After the service, there will be a time to share together in the church fellowship hall. Burial will be at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Bethel Church of Washington or the Bethel Cemetery Fund. Online condolences may be shared at goodwinsieversfh.com.
