Kelli Lane Peckinpaugh

Kelli Lane Peckinpaugh gained her "Angel Wings" on Monday, June 3, 2024, at Legacy of Morrison Woods after her eight-year journey with Alzheimer's. Born on November 12, 1965 to Jack and Thelma Peckinpaugh, Kelli was the youngest of three girls, following oldest sister Beth and middle sister Janie.
Young Kelli Lane attended Grissom Elementary and then Wilson Middle School, where she made many lifelong friends and was taught by several wonderful teachers, including her big sister Janie. Because Kelli was born with Down's syndrome, she didn't follow her sisters' footsteps in high school, but blazed her own special trail. Kelli attended Hillcroft Services, where she received training that she put to use in local restaurants. While Kelli was a great worker, her favorite part of the job was visiting with the regular patrons. After Hillcroft, Kelli did volunteer work at a local nursing home-she had a true gift for making the residents feel loved and special. Still later in life, shortly after her diagnosis with Alzheimer's, Kelli attended Beyond I Can for day programming, which provided her with an opportunity to be with her friends and participate in community activities.
But the most important job Kelli ever had, and the achievement she was always most proud of, was being the Barn Superintendent at Kelli Acres where she and her daddy, Jack, bred and raised Belgian draft horses for show. Kelli faithfully went to the barn every evening for feeding time and to help with other barn chores. This was a special place where Kelli could spend time with her daddy and her nephews who worked on the farm for many years. Her nephews will always be in her debt for being the "good cop" out at the barn-if you forgot which horse needed the special vitamins or couldn't find the pitchfork, you could always ask Kelli first, before bothering Jack. Kelli was also the "Dogmaster" on the farm. Despite the very stern title, Kelli did nothing more than spoil rotten every dog lucky enough to call her "master."
Kelli, however, was also careful to balance her hard work with lots of play. She loved to go shopping at places like Kohl's or Hobby Lobby with her mommy, Thelma-really, Kelli loved to go most anywhere, or do anything at all, with Thelma. They were best buddies who could seamlessly turn a ladylike lunch outing into a trip to the slots at the casino in Anderson. They were one of Muncie's most dynamic duos.
Then there were the many sporting events with Jack. She and her daddy rarely missed any of her niece's or nephews' athletic contests while they were students at Muncie Central. And she was at the Earlham football games to watch Sam for four years. Kelli and Jack also attended countless Ball State basketball and football games. While some have speculated that Kelli was really just in it for the hot dogs and popcorn, her family knows that Kelli, deep down, would never pass up the chance to spend time with Jack.
Kelli was fond of her niece and nephews, too-though she was always glad to tell them exactly who she liked the most (and the least) at any given time. One of Kelli's favorite activities with the younger clan was to trade food-related insults. In a matter of seconds, Kelli could label you a peanut butter pie face, a pizza face, or even a fish nut. Her playful ribbing was one of the special ways she let you know she really liked you.
Finally, Kelli cherished any time she had with her big sisters, Beth and Janie. There were many sleepovers at their homes, weekends at Lake Webster, and vacations with their families. Janie and Beth benefited from Kelli's expert help folding laundry (you've never seen a more perfectly folded boxer short in your life). Kelli was her sisters' biggest fan, and they were hers. The three of them were together from the start-and through her 58 years to the very end.
Kelli's life and spirit were an inspiration to all members of her family. She influenced everything from career choices, the name of the horse farm, and the name of her great niece. Kelli Lane had a dynamic sense of humor and she never heard a song she couldn't dance to.
Upon moving to Morrison Woods in 2021, she never complained. Her positive attitude was such a blessing to Beth and Janie when this move became necessary, as was the support and help from their husbands to make every day Kelli's best day. Mark and Brian were there at all times, to do what they could to ease this journey for Kelli and her sisters. She was everyone's "little girl" at Legacy and her laughter was such a delight for her fellow residents there.
Kelli was pre-deceased by her daddy in 2021 and her mommy in 2023, who cherished her from the day she was born. She was also pre-deceased by her grandparents and many aunts and uncles who were blessed by her love and companionship.
Kelli's wonderful legacy will be carried on by her family who will miss her every day-sister Janie Allardt and husband Brian Allardt; sister Beth Peckinpaugh Beasley and husband Mark Gray; her niece Abbie Lane Conte (husband Nick), and her nephews Jack Strombeck (wife Laura), Matthew Allardt (wife Zoe), Samuel Beasley (wife Priscilla), Caleb Beasley (wife Ashley), and Luke Beasley; and her great-nieces and nephews JP and Ellie Strombeck, Kennedy Lane Allardt, Charlie Conte, Kaylee Hathaway, Grace Beasley, Hesher Beasley, and Norah Jean Beasley.
Kelli's family wants to extend a public thank you to the staff at Legacy of Morrison Woods for their loving attitude and outstanding care of Kelli over the past three years. They are an incredible group of healthcare professionals who are like family to us. We were blessed to have them watching over Kelli as her needs for assistance increased and her independence diminished. We also want to thank Paradigm Hospice and Heart to Heart Hospice for their care of Kelli, and support for our family, particularly Dr. Bahrami and Claire.
There will be a celebration of Kelli's life on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 at 5:00 pm at Tonne Winery, 101 W. Royerton Rd., Muncie, IN. To honor Kelli and her fun times at Kelli Acres, please come in blue jeans or overalls, if possible. Burial will be private.
Her family requests memorial donations to Delaware County Special Needs Prom/Events, Inc. at PO Box 1925, Muncie, IN, 47307 or online at www.delcospecialneedsprom.org.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.meeksmortuary.com.