Dennis “Denny” Killion passed away peacefully with his children by his side on October 9, 2025. Born June 29, 1958, in Washington, Indiana to Harley Killion Jr. and Arlene (Killion) Harker. Denny was a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He is survived by his sister, Debbie Sidebottom, and his four children, Tiffany (Tony) Killion Goble, Amberly Killion, both of Washington, Indiana, Brad (Kristy) Killion of Fishers, Indiana, and Valerie (Nick) Haynes of Sellersburg, Indiana. He had ten grandchildren: Chay (Miller) Robinson, Hunter (Shaylee) Killion, Eli Rayman, Brody, Killion, Alice Goble, Ava Killion, Hudson Goble, William, Olivia, and Henry Haynes. He also had two great-grandchildren, Marleigh and Thomas Robinson.
He was preceded in death by his father, Harley Killion Jr., and his mother, Arlene Harker, as well as his grandparents. He graduated from Washington High School in 1976 and went straight into the workforce. He began his more than 30-year career in management as a night shift supervisor for UPS while also working as a salesman for his father-in-law at The Bell Clothing store. He took his natural abilities and skills learned and went to work for Prudential Insurance, where he became one of the company’s top rookie salesmen, quickly earning a promotion to sales manager. He was also the owner of Denny’s Pub in Washington, Indiana. He later put his management skills to work, spending more than a decade as a caring, dedicated leader for Ditto Sales of Jasper, Indiana.
In 2009, he was ready to hang up the stress that can come with a managerial role, and he went to work with his beloved brother-in-law at Peabody Coal, where he made many friends along the way and retired from Peabody Coal in 2024. Denny lit up a room with his smile and charm. He was known by many and loved by all who knew him. He loved spending time with his family, attending children’s events, watching sports and cop shows, playing cards, pool, mushroom hunting, and fishing; he also loved roller coasters. He took his children and grandchildren fishing whenever he had a chance. He didn’t always catch something, but he enjoyed the challenge and being on the lake with the people he loved.
One of his other favorite pastimes was cooking a delicious meal for his family. A Sunday dinner, a special birthday meal request, or a holiday meal made with lots of love were his specialties. He could fry chicken and potatoes or grill a juicy pork chop with the best of them, but a signature Denny’s breakfast was his favorite and a favorite among those who had the privilege to sit at our family table. If you had a chance to sit at the table, he had a way of making you feel special and loved. He loved to tell stories like growing up on the farm in Cumback, playing sports as a kid, wrecking a car or two, handling multi-million-dollar investment funds, and making his first trip out of the country. He will be dearly missed by all who loved him.
His wishes were to be cremated, and a private family service with a celebration of life to follow. The celebration of life will be held in late November; details will be shared with friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to a charity that supports local families in crisis or to a local recovery program.
