Deloris “Dee” Reese, 92, of Crawfordsville passed away Sunday, April 12, 2026, at the Lane House Nursing Home.
Dee was born Dec. 2, 1933, in Perrysville, to Russell and Iva Craft Callahan. She graduated from Perrysville High School in 1951. She married the love of her life, Bob Reese, on April 20, 1952, in Fountain County. They were married 69 years before Bob’s passing in 2021.
Dee worked at RR Donnelley’s in her early years, where she and Bob met. Later she managed the Big Dipper, Speed Queen Laundromat, before opening their business, Dee’s Laundry from 1978-1981.
Her memberships included Fraternal Order of Eagles, Moose Lodge, Women’s Senior Golf League and was an inductee in the Crawfordsville Bowling Hall of Fame.
Dee loved to play golf, bowl and especially loved watching her own children play sports, along with her grandchildren. She was also known as the scorekeeper. Dee was an avid Wabash football and IU basketball fan.
Dee is survived by son Robert (Denise) Reese, Ladoga; daughter Carla Walters, New Market; four grandchildren, Jason (fiancé Brittany) of Carmel, Morgan (Landon) Morris of Ladoga, Mandy Walters of Lafayette, Stacy (Dakota) Davis of Crawfordsville; eight great-grandchildren, Harrison, Miles, Everett, Beckett, Benson, Brynley, Lexi and Adeline; and sisters, Alberta Huston, Betty (Max) Kelch and Linda (Dave) Busenbark.
Dee was preceded in death by her parents; husband Bob; sister Dorothy Lyons; brother Bud Callahan; and son-in-law Jerry Walters.
Friends are invited to visit the family two hours before the service from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday, April 20, at Burkhart Funeral Home, 201 W. Wabash Ave. Funeral services will be held at 3:30 p.m., with Tami Mussche officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery South.
