Russell D. 'Russ' Kelso

Russell Dean ‘Russ’ Kelso, age 76, passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, Feb. 27, 2021 at Franciscan Health in Indianapolis. He was a lifetime resident of Brown County.

Russ was born Nov. 19, 1944 in Martinsville, to his parents, the late Earl C. and Georgia (Myers) Kelso. He was a 1964 graduate of Brown County High School. He started his 35-year career at the Kroger Company as a Journeyman Meat Cutter in 1965 and retired in 2000 as the Executive Meat Merchandiser for the Central Marketing Area of The Kroger Company.

Russ was a member of the Cottonwood Church in Brown County. He worked hard and maintained his family's original homeplace. His great grandchildren are seventh generation to live on the property. He touched every inch of the land and knew it like the back of his hand. Sharing its history and the stories behind the acres that made up the family's homestead. He traveled about on his signature 1958 Ford tractor or orange Kubota. His greatest love will forever live in his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Russ enjoyed going on fishing and hunting trips with family and friends. He was a loyal friend. To know him was to love him. He treated everyone with respect, always standing up for the little man.

He was a fan of country music. He appreciated beautiful lyrics and communicated by sharing songs with loved ones.

He enjoyed sports and was a Colts fan, but he was the biggest fan of the Brown County Eagles where his grandsons and their friends made him so proud as he watched them play.

He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Nancy J. (Wells) Kelso, whom he married on April 10, 1965 in Morgantown.

Russ is also survived by his daughters, Amy Kelso, Emily (Jay) Kelso-Sichting and Elizabeth Kelso, all of Brown County; sister, Margaret Ann Kelso of Indianapolis; grandchildren, Suzannah Couch, Eliza (Ian) Bowman, William Russell Kelso-Sichting, Elijah Kelso-Sichting, Jackson Kelso-Sichting and Samuel Kelso; great grandchildren, Alexander and Maxwell Bowman.

He is preceded in death by brothers Dale Kelso and Paul Kelso; sister Esther Verdier.

In keeping with Russ’ wishes, he will be cremated with a Celebration of Life Service held at a later date. Cremation services have been entrusted to Meredith-Clark Funeral Home Cremation & Personalization Center in Morgantown.

In honor of Russ, his family encourages you to do what he loved, do something kind for your neighbor.      

Expressions of caring and kindness can be made to the Kelso family at www. meredith-clark.com.

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