Kelly Byron DeHaven Sr.

Kelly Byron DeHaven Sr., 65, of Parkesburg, PA, passed away on Thursday, December 19, 2024, in Elizabethtown, PA. Born in Coatesville, PA, he was the son of the late Zay Kirk DeHaven Sr. and Laura Ellen Hooper DeHaven.Kelly was an area resident all his life and drove trucks for various businesses.  His favorite holiday was Christmas. At an early age he would grab tools and work on trucks. He would also put ketchup on everything.He is survived by his children, Selina (John Sr.) Scott and Kelly B. DeHaven Jr., both of Coatesville, grandchildren, John Scott Jr., Brooke Scott, and Faith Carpenter all of Coatesville, siblings, Marjorie E. Diener of Columbia, PA, Ellen J. Thompson of Narvon, Theda R. DeHaven of Parkesburg, and Gideon R. (Diane) DeHaven of New Holland, PA, many nieces and nephews and many great-nieces and great nephews.Siblings, Zay K. DeHaven, Jr., and Ziela Sharon Taylor predeceased Kelly.

Dad was always grateful for everything he had and received in life. He was especially grateful for my brother and I, even though he used to tell us we were OOPS babies. He always loved talking about his family. He always shared his memories with us with pride. He told us about the time he was young, and he got into my grandfather’s tools and loosened up some things under the hood of my grandfather’s vehicle. My grandfather was very unhappy with him. As a child, his best friend was a pink elephant behind the stove, he was afraid of hot dogs and did not like ice cream. He grew out of that because he loved his hot dogs and ice cream as an adult. We were the real life Griswolds. Everything inside and outside of the house lit up. Dad also liked snow. I remember one time when I was sick, and he was gonna go to my grandparents to see if they needed anything at the store and I wanted to go along. I should have thought about that before I asked to go because on our way to my grandparents, he decided he was going to take a shortcut through a cornfield and play in the snow. I could have really used a seatbelt that day.

He was a proud truck driver. He drove for several companies such as Smith Transport, J.B Hunt, Warners, and several others. At one point, he was owner/operator for quite a while. He loved to sit and talk about trucks and his experiences/travels for hours.

A Celebration of Life memorial service is being planned, and the details will be posted here upon completion. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to CrossNet Ministries, P.O. Box 154 New Holland, PA 17557 in honor of Kelly B. DeHaven, Sr..

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Wilde Funeral Home of Parkesburg, PA. Online condolences can be posted at www.wildefuneralhome.com