Service measured not by GOLD,
                           but by the GOLDEN RULE

Service measured not by GOLD,
          but by the GOLDEN RULE

330.262.7771

Dean Kenneth Kitchen, 37, of Ashland, Kentucky passed away Friday, January 20, 2023 at his residence.

He was born on June 27, 1985 in Las Vegas, NV to Kary Bryant Kitchen and Melnee Beth Whiting.

Dean served his country in the U.S. Air Force from 2003 to 2009.  He was a 2022 graduate of Marshall University.  He worked as an aircraft structural maintenance.  Dean enjoyed gardening, golfing, bowling and football.  He liked learning about history, stocks and bonds.

He is survived by his mother and stepfather Melnee and David Benfield; father and stepmother Kary and Patti Kitchen; sisters Connie Poppaw and her children Kendra and Logan Poppaw; brother Vaughn Kitchen; grandmother Donna Kitchen; step siblings Angela Aldrich, Katie (Brian) Katich, Joseph (Ashlee) Aldrich, Elizabeth (Michael) Wyatt, Jon (Elizabeth) Benfield, Melissa (James) Elliot, Joseph Benfield, Jameson Benfield; also so many cousins, aunts, uncles, step nieces, nephews and other family and friends.

Dean is preceded in death by his grandfathers Kenneth Kitchen and Kenneth Whiting; grandmother Patricia Whiting, cousin Gary Whiting and his stepbrother James Aldrich.

Dean will be laid to rest at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery.  A celebration of life will be held on February 5, 2023 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1295 Township Road 653, Ashland, OH 44805.

In lieu of flowers the family suggest that contributions be directed to Alcoholics Anonymous, General Service Office, PO Box 2407, James A Farley Station, New York, NY 10116-2407 or Wayne County Humane Society, 1161 Mechanicsburg Rd., Wooster, OH 44691.

McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster is assisting the family.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com

11 Comments

  1. I love you Dean ! I will miss our talks . Dean was such a good human he had his struggles but we all do in our own ways . Dean and I talk a lot about family an that was very important to him . He had a big heart and he always talked about how much he loved our family. We recently had some pretty good laughs about things we did as kids and things I had forgotten about and I laughed pretty hard about it . I will miss u Dean . Love you big little brother !

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  2. You’re gone from sight, but never from my heart…. Hope you’re ruling a kingdom some where Dean – XO

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  3. Dean, you were a dear friend, and a brother. The only person I ever knew who actually wanted to be my friend. I remember spring time in Loudonville getting into trouble in the barn near your house. Playing Sega Saturn, and Playstation at your house. We’d spend time on IRC at my house. You’d talk about stocks and Bonds. I miss those years Dean. I missed not being able to see you. I loved you ad a brother abd a friend. I miss you. Please be in peace now. Rest now weary traveler. Your labors are at an end. May the winds be ever at your back. May the ground rise up to meet you. May you be in heaven 30 mins before the devil knows your missing.

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  4. Dear Dave and Melnee.
    We are deeply saddened to hear of this tragic loss. He sounds like a wonderful young man with so much promise. We pray for your comfort and peace. May the Lord hold you in the hollow of His hand as you adjust. You are in our thoughts. Love and hugs,

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  5. My heart breaks for the family. Dean was a great guy he will be truly be missed.

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  6. My condolences to the whole family. Dean was an awesome person, as I grew up in Henderson his sister and I were best friends and I befriended Dean, he was actually my older brothers best friend. You will truly be missed Dean! I love you!!

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  7. I will remember Dean fondly and know that he is at peace in a better place. We became friends in recovery and our shared interests. Dean will be missed and loved for eternity in our hearts.

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  8. Phillip and I send our condolences. We never met him, but we know how important he was to you. We are thankful to be members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. Even though you will miss Dean we have a good understanding about where our Spirits return. Our Heavenly Home we’re we lived. Dean is safe and Happy. Rejoice in This.

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  9. Sending my love and condolences to the whole family. I am heartbroken for ya’ll. 😔
    Loss in this life feels like an eternity but thankfully that is not the case. So thankful you will see him and love on him again, Melnee & Connie.
    Dean is loved.

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  10. Oh Deaner! Our teenage years were so fun tubing, hanging out, and driving around! I’m so sorry the last several years were a struggle but I hope you have found peace and rest from those demons. You will always be remembered fondly and never forgotten. Sending love and hugs to your family in this difficult time!

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  11. Dean,
    I’m just finding that you passed away as I’m getting ready to send out my military retirement invitations. I’ve almost passed away 2x in last 2 years with my health. I’m pondering the first time we met when I arrived at Ali Al Salem Airbase, Kuwait! We were room mates and worked together and had so many of the same interest, history and economics, and then when I said I was going to church on Sunday, also found out you were LDS too! I want your family to know he was such a kind person and you raised a wonderful Son! I do not know the surroundings of his death, but he was great to me and know he was a beautiful person to all that he met. I am only 7-8hr drive(Madison,WI) from his resting place. I plan to visit it. If the family reach out to me, would love to go to LDS church with you if it’s near his resting place in OH. My condolences to all the family of Dean!
    He loved what I would say to everyone when they left home from deployment so I’m going to leave it here.

    “Life is not about how it ends but rather how you live with it. It’s not a one take shot, it’s actually a process, a journey, a lifetime.”

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