Lawrence Kelly Mehler

Kelly Mehler, of Berea, Kentucky, passed away on Sunday, October 5, 2025, at the UK Medical Center in Lexington, surrounded by loved ones. Though he had been courageously battling cancer for the past ten months, he had been doing well recently and was enjoying time with his beloved wife, Teri, and friends up until the day of his passing.
He was born Lawrence Mehler (though known for most of his life as Kelly) in Chicago on July 8, 1947. He met his wife, Teri, in Cincinnati in 1972. Their love of travel led them to spend nearly two years living in Switzerland and traveling to surrounding countries prior to briefly settling back in Cincinnati where their son, Jason, was born. In 1976, they moved to Berea for Kelly to study woodworking at Berea College. Following his studies, they welcomed their daughter, Lisarose, in 1978 and chose to make Berea their lifelong home. For the last 50 years, Kelly and Teri built a beautiful life of service and love in this community.
Kelly became a nationally renowned furniture maker and table saw expert. In 2004 he opened the Kelly Mehler School of Woodworking. Woodworkers and guest instructors from across the country came to Berea to experience Kelly's teaching and hospitality. His gentle, compassionate, and humorous nature drew others to him and inspired them to treat people with the same spirit of acceptance and service. Always the first to lend a helping hand, Kelly was a dedicated volunteer with Berea Home Village, using his "fix-it" skills to assist elders in the community. He found joy in easing others' burdens and sharing whatever he could. Kelly and Teri have also been active members of Union Church in Berea for over 20 years, where Kelly's loving touch will remain for years in the form of repaired pews, remade parts, and a variety of other projects that have helped sustain the 100+ year old building.
Kelly is survived by his wife, Teri; son, Jason Mehler (Robin); daughter, Lisarose Galloway; sisters, Dolores Vassallo, Leona Goforth, and Janice Prior; and grandsons, Grant and Cole Galloway, and Asa and Eli Mehler. He is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews.
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