Kenneth E. Reed

Rev. Kenneth E. Reed

88, of Franklin, Indiana and Fort Myers Beach, Florida, died January 2, 2017. He was born in Powell County, Kentucky, the son of the late Vernon and Nora (Collier) Reed. After graduating from Francis Joseph Reitz High School in Evansville in 1946, he served in the United States Navy during WWII as Machinist Mate 3rd Class aboard the USS Scania (AKA-40). Following his military service, he received a BS in Elementary Education from University of Evansville, as well as a Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree & PhD in Psychology and Counseling from Boston University.

In 1948, he married Alinda "Linda" Rogers, who preceded him in death in 1998. They had two children, Deborah (Reed) Fletcher and Michael Kent Reed. He married Sandra (Drummond) Reed in 2002, who he leaves behind, along with his brothers Roger & Elvin, 5 step-children, 17 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by brother Chester and sister Thelma.

Dr. Reed was ordained by the Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church and was appointed to serve Methodist Hospital of Indiana from 1958 to 2000 as Associate Chaplain; Director of Chaplaincy Services; and retiring as Senior Vice President for Values, Ethics, Social Responsibility, and Pastoral Services. During his tenure, he served on the hospital's Medical Ethics Committee, launched a groundbreaking nationally-recognized smoking control program, started a Clinical Pastoral Education program, and created Buchanan Counseling Center – an Indianapolis-wide pastoral care and family counseling program.

Life was his work – he wanted to share his knowledge and insights with all. As best he could, he practiced what he preached and taught on a daily basis. Ken was active in his local community, assisting individuals through private psychology practice, providing grief counseling & publications for those suffering loss, volunteering for local homeless programs, and serving as chaplain of the San Carlos Bay Power Squadron in Fort Myers, Florida. Through the years, he was a member of Meridian Street United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, Grace United Methodist Church in Franklin, and Faith United Methodist Church in Fort Myers, Florida. He enjoyed time with family & friends, traveling, sailing, reading, and learning.

Friends may call from 1pm until 2pm, Monday, January 9, 2017 at the Franklin United Methodist Community, Wright Memorial Chapel, 1070 W. Jefferson, Franklin, IN, where a celebration of life service will follow at 2pm. Funeral services will be held at 3:30pm, Tuesday, January 10, 2017 at Flanner and Buchanan- Washington Park East, with a gathering & pitch-in meal to follow — food planning is available at http://bit.ly/kenreed. Burial will be private at a later date.

Memorial gifts in Dr. Reed's memory can be made to the American Heart Association, the National Kidney Foundation, Methodist Health Foundation, Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE), or Association of Professional Chaplains (APC).