Ruth Kelly

Ruth Jane Kelly, 76 of Washington, IN passed on to her heavenly home Thursday afternoon, March 24, 2022, at Emerald Place in Washington. Ruth was born on November 19, 1945, to Robert and Mary (Lewis) Pennington. She grew up in Veale Township where she attended grade school and graduated from Washington High School in 1963. She graduated from Tri State Beauty College in Evansville in 1964. On April 21, 1968, she married Louis Dean Kelly. She worked as a hairdresser for all her life and had her own shop, Kelly's Kurls. She went on to work in the loan department of Old National Bank until she retired in 2008. Ruth was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church in Washington where she worshiped and served all her life. She enjoyed playing the piano and singing in the choir, helping with VBS and the Bethel Mall and was a member of the Bethel United Methodist Women. She served in the Walk to Emmaus community and attended SIWE #1. Ruth was a member of the April Debb's homemakers club for almost 50 years. She had also been involved with Rural Youth and the Daviess County 4-H over the years. Ruth loved to sew and enjoyed making gifts for her friends and family. Ruth was preceded in death by her father, Bob and mother, Mary. Those left to cherish her memory and celebrate her life include: husband, Dean; daughters and sons-in-law, Susan and Brandon Hess, Montgomery and Sherri and Ted Cline, Washington; grandsons, Garrett Hess and Bradley Hess; sister, Gail (Archie) Devore, Broken Arrow, OK; niece, Robyn Devore, Tulsa, OK; aunt, Corrine Lewis, Longmont, CO and many cousins. A celebration to honor the life of Ruth will be at 1 pm on Wednesday, March 30th at Bethel United Methodist Church South Campus, 3709 S 50 W, Washington. Friends and family may call from 9am 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 United Methodist Church or the Bethel Cemetery Fund. Special thanks to the staff of Emerald Place and Helping Hearts Hospice for the love and care they showed Ruth over the last year.