Terence (Terry) Kelch
It is with great sadness that the family of Terry Kelch announces his peaceful passing on September 4th, 2025 at the age of 82. He was born in Batesville, Indiana on August 22nd, 1943, to the late Leslie and Martha Kelch.
Terry graduated from Dillsboro High School in 1961 where he played high school basketball. His senior year, the basketball team was and has been the only team to win Sectionals. Terry spent many evenings tending to the family farm and riding horses with his friends. Terry was married to the mother of his children, Joan, for 26 years.
Terry made a courageous decision to serve his country in 1964 and enlisted in the Air Force. He began basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. He then served in the following AFB’s: Illinois, California, Thailand and Utah.
Terry was a loving partner to Susan Paproski for over 35 years. Susan took care of him, Eddy and Blackjack no matter what adventure they were on. These adventures include camping and fishing, cookouts, fish fries, and spending endless weekends with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Terry dedicated over 30 years of his life to Cosco, holding several positions there before he retired. After a full day at Cosco he would spend evenings and weekends doing refrigeration and air conditioning repairs. This was known as Kelch’s Refrigeration and Air Conditioning. He was a man of great integrity and hard work, a value he instilled in his children.
After retirement, Terry and Susan spent the winters in Okeechobee Florida, a tradition that was started by his parents. In addition, Terry enjoyed spending time at the American Legion, where he had an “all reserved” spot at the bar. He was also a member of the VFW and The Forty and Eight.
Terry was Father to Troy Kelch, Tiffany (Barry) Dunbar, Staci (Rob) Likens and Darci (Adam) Surface. He was a proud Papaw to Ashley (Ben) Hunter, Nick (Katie) Likens, Logan (Lacey) Siegelin, Jake (Alexis) Likens, Noah Surface, and Lily Surface. A Great Papaw to Audrey Wade, Bronson and Maileigh Hunter, Blair and Grayson Likens, Landyn and Liberty Siegelin, and brother to Tim Kelch, uncle to Brett (Michelle) Kelch.
He is preceded in death by infant son, Troy Kelch; his parents, Leslie and Martha Kelch; and daughter, Tiffany Dunbar.
The funeral service was held Sunday, September 7th at Barkes, Weaver & Glick Funeral Home, Columbus. His final resting place is at Flat Rock Baptist Cemetery. Full military honors were presented by the U.S. Air Force Ceremonial Unit and the Bartholomew County Veterans Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to American Legion Post 24 or the Bartholomew County Humane Society.
Condolences and special memories may be shared with the Kelch family and a video tribute may be viewed at barkesweaverglick.com.
