Obituary of Dean S. Kelly

Kelly, Dean S. age 93 of Horseheads, NY, and a resident of the Manor at Bethany Village passed away peacefully surrounded by his daughters on December 7, 2016. Dean was born on May 25, 1923, in Leroy, PA. He was one of 10 children of the late Servellon B. and Mabel (Smiley) Kelly. Dean would have graduated from Horseheads High School, but was drafted out of his senior class serving in WWII in the Army Calvary as a foot soldier walking most of Germany. After the war, Dean worked for 33 years at Purolator, also known as Eclipse, Bendix, and Facet. He was in the plant on the lines as well as being a Union Steward and Union Negotiator for UAW Local 604. He and his wife, Arlene R. (Smith) Kelly, were married on July 26, 1947, at the Chapel on Fort Belvedere, VA. Dean was predeceased by his loving wife, Arlene, of 51 plus years in 1999. He was also predeceased by four brothers, Clendon (Luella) Kelly, William (Madeline) Kelly, Reynold (Liz, Jeannie) Kelly, Donald Kelly; four sisters, Vera (George) Bruce, Jean (Ward Wayne) Williamson, Eula (George) Horton, Mildred (Joe) Santucci along with their spouses; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Earl and Beulah (Smith) Andrews; brother-in-law, Raymond (Margaret) Smith of Camden, NY; and his son-in-law, Lloyd “Wardie” Brown. Surviving are his three daughters, Nancy Kelly Brown, Sally Kelly and Donna Kelly all of Horseheads, NY; grandson and wife, Gregory W. and Jennifer (Lingnau) Brown of San Antonio, TX; great grandsons, Matthew Brown and Johnathan Brown both of San Antonio, TX; sister and brother-in-law, Sarah (Kelly) and Carl Schnautz of Horseheads, NY; sisters-in-law, Margaret (Raymond) Smith of Camden, NY and Dorothy (Donald) Kelly of Horseheads, NY; many nieces and nephews as well as special adopted daughters, Denise Blint, Jeannette Berretta and Chris Lloyd all of Horseheads, NY. Dean had been a resident of Horseheads, NY, since a small boy living on Westlake St. and Franklin St. as a paper boy and delivering baked goods and laundry on his bicycle for his mother. Dean enjoyed his summers camping at the family cabin in Shunk, PA. Dean also participated in many sports, rode his motorcycle, and was an avid golfer, loving the 19th hole. In the 1960's Dean helped organize Cinderella softball for the Horseheads girls. In later years, he and his wife, Arlene (along with their dog), wintered at Outdoor Resorts in South Padre Island, TX, where he had his one and only hole in one. Dean met Hillary Clinton in Albany while saving the lifetime insurance benefits for all the retirees of Purolator. Dean had been a member of the Bentley Trumble American Legion Post #0442 for many years. At the family's request there will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Maple Grove Cemetery where he will be laid to rest with his best friend and wife at the convenience of the family. Very special thanks to all the nurses, aides and medical professionals at Chemung County Health, Chemung County Office of the Aging, and the Manor at Bethany Village. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bethany Nursing Home, c/o Dean Kelly, 3005 Watkins Rd., Horseheads, NY 14845 Condolences and remembrances at www.barberfuneralhome.com