Dane Michael Kelly

On Thursday, December 14, 2023, Dane Michael Kelly, beloved son, brother, grandson, and boyfriend, passed away at age twenty-three. Dane is survived by his parents, Erron Terrazas Kelly and Leslie Vidrine Kelly, his sister, Audrey Marie Kelly, his grandpa, Paul Kelly, his girlfriend, Nelly Bishop, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Preceding him in death were his grandparents, John and Cress Vidrine and Mary Lou Terrazas Kelly.

Dane, a very energetic and adventurous child, grew up in Indianapolis where he attended Montessori elementary school before graduating eighth grade at St. Matthew Catholic School.  Dane chose to attend Howe Military Academy in Northern Indiana where he rose to the rank of Captain and served as Company Commander. He also enjoyed participating on the soccer and drill teams as well as becoming certified in SCUBA. Dane graduated from high school in 2018.

As an adult, Dane lived in Indianapolis and worked as a server assistant for Harry and Izzy’s before entering the construction field. At W E Beatty, Inc., Dane was quickly promoted to foreman of a concrete crew, building walls for new housing. He enjoyed combining his mental and physical skills, was proud of keeping the cleanest and most organized truck, and most of all, Dane loved his crew. In the fall of 2023, Dane joined the team at CIS Cryogenic Inventory Solutions repairing medical equipment. A quick study, Dane was appreciated for his productivity as well as his patience in teaching new skills to co-workers. Dane was well liked, spoke highly of his co-workers and managers, and was excited about the prospect of growing with the company.

Dane enjoyed traveling to visit family in New York, Virginia, Denver, New Mexico, California, and New Orleans as well as taking trips with his parents, sister and other students to London, Paris, Barcelona, and many Italian cities. At home, he loved his car, listening to music, working out at the gym, climbing, gaming and hanging out with friends. Dane was a voracious reader, enjoying legal suspense novels as well as researching many topics of interest including political ideologies, history and the natural world. He was always up for a good debate.

Dane loved his family and friends and enjoyed time spent together for holidays, meals, and just being together. He will be remembered for intelligent conversations and silly humor, strong opinions and deep compassion, generosity and showing up for his friends, rescuing more than a few stray animals, holding the babies in his arms and playing with the kids wherever he went.

Visitation will be at Flanner Buchanan Broad Ripple in Indianapolis on Saturday, February 3, 2024 beginning at 3:00 p.m. A memorial service will follow at 5:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Martin Luther King Center (https://www.mlkcenterindy.org/) or Street Outreach Animal Response (https://www.soarinitiative.com/).