Dane Kennedy

Our family and community lost a wonderful son, grandson, uncle, nephew, cousin, coach, and friend in William Dane Kennedy on April 23, 2025. He was born in Marion on June 18, 1982 and as a young boy he began playing basketball at the YMCA, then onto Holy Trinity Catholic School, and while at Bucyrus High School he decided he could become a better coach than player. While in high school he became the basketball coach of the 7th & 8th grade boys at Holy Trinity. Many players and communities have seen Dane’s presence as a basketball coach on their courts over the last 27 years. Currently, he was a longtime member of the team of coaches within the Col. Crawford School system.

While in high school, he began mowing lawns which led him to building a business. After graduating in 2000 from Bucyrus High School, he attended The Ohio State University in Marion. Coming up just a few classes short of graduating (to the dismay of many of us). He decided to concentrate his energy on growing his landscaping and mowing business, Kennedy Landscaping. In 2018, he bought another local business, Early Lawn Care, which expanded the vision he had to provide for his customers.

Dane became very active in the community. Following in his grandfather, John Kennedy’s footsteps as he was VolunTOLD by grandpa to join Bucyrus Kiwanis Club. Dane eventually became President of the organization for three terms. He was instrumental in raising funds and oversaw the construction of the Splash Pad at Aumiller Park. He also was the chairman of the Annual Kiwanis Chicken BBQ which happens to fall on his birthday this year.

Dane became a Trustee in 2019 of the John Q. Shunk Association. Currently, he was also the President of the Crawford County Sports Hall of Fame. On weekends in the fall and winter, you could hear Dane give commentary as co-host of the Phoneboard call-in show on WQEL. Dane loved sports and was a faithful follower of The Ohio State University Buckeyes, Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Indians, and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

He is survived by his parents, Bill and Sheila Kennedy; brother, Orry (Ainslee) and nephew, Brayden Kennedy; grandparents, Joyce Kennedy and Ron and Connie Fahl; aunts and uncles, Ruth Ann Wilson, Kathy Kennedy, Lyne and Jerry Starner, and Joan and Jim Kafer who were also his godparents; closest cousins, Luke Starner, Allie & Beau Hartman, and Jenni Kafer.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, John Kennedy; aunt and uncles, Pat and John Myers, Michael Kennedy, and Michael Wilson; and great grandparents, Paul and Virginia Kennedy, Dolores Fahl, and Bertha Sours.

Friends can pay respect and say their goodbyes on Tuesday, April 29 from 4-7 pm at Wise Funeral Service in Bucyrus. Dane will be laid to rest privately in Oakwood Cemetery.

Rather than sending flowers or other gifts, the family suggests donations be made payable to The Community Foundation for Crawford County (TCF4CC). The proceeds will endow a scholarship to be awarded to students pursuing careers of similar interest to Dane.

Memories and photos can be shared on the guestbook of Dane’s tribute page at www.wisefuneral.com.