Dennis "Denny" James Luttrell

Dennis James Luttrell, 71, of Windfall, Indiana, passed away on February 6, 2026.

Denny was a humble man.  Rarely ever one to talk about himself unless you succeeded at getting him to tell a story.  To a stranger, he may have appeared to live a simple life; to those who knew him, he was a rare gem whose depth and character were a constant treasure.

Born on April 23, 1955, in Hartford City, Denny was the youngest son of Ervin and Essie Luttrell.  Raised on the family farm east of Hobbs, Indiana, his industrious and hard-working parents instilled in their boys the value of hard work.  Brothers Doyle and Dwight were 14 and nine years older than Denny, respectively, and helped ensure little brother learned how to properly complete his chores.  Whether working the chicken houses or tending the garden, Denny developed a lifelong ability to solve problems with both his hands and his head.

In high school, Denny may have gotten out of some chores to make for time on the playing field. A standout athlete for the Tipton High School Blue Devils, he served as the football team’s quarterback and the baseball team's catcher. His "big bat" and strong right arm earned him four years of letters before he graduated in 1973.

In Fall of 1973, Denny enlisted in the Navy where he began a lifelong mastery of machine repair.  His first tour started in 1974 aboard the USS Dewey stationed out of Charleston Naval Base which included a North Atlantic goodwill cruise, visiting Denmark, Germany and Great Britain.  That’s when he formed a life-long friendship with Bill Rose.  In early 1975 he transferred to the USS Sierra, "The Ship with the Helping Hands."  Her primary mission of providing maintenance and repairs to other fleet vessels proved a good fit for a young sailor wanting to add to his toolkit.  In early 1977, the Sierra was deployed to the Mediterranean.  Her primary station was often Naples, Italy, but she also spent significant time in Palma de Mallorca, Spain.  Honorably discharged in late 1977, Denny returned home to Indiana, the state he loved so much. 

After a stint at Carnation in Kokomo, in 1985 Denny hired on at the Chrysler Kokomo Transmission Plant as a machine repairman.  If Denny was going to do a job, he was intent on doing it right.  An excellent troubleshooter and problem solver, putting his big noggin to work.  Denny played a role in the startup of Indiana Transmission Plant II prior to its opening in 2003 and eventually the shutdown of the plant in 2019.  He specialized in vibration analysis.  Denny was a proud member of UAW Local 685 and retired in 2021 with 36 years of service. 

In summer 1985, Denny’s life changed forever when he met Marcy Curry.  They were soulmates in the truest sense, marrying on November 23, 1988, and weaving a 41-year bond that weathered every season of life.  Theirs was a loving, caring partnership.

Marcy’s first love is critters of all sorts – horses, dogs, cats, birds and wildlife.  Though he often presented a tough exterior, Denny had a soft heart for their family menagerie.  He loved the antics and enjoyed the company of their ever-present dogs and cats.  After Denny retired, he joined Marcy at her dog grooming shop where he mastered the art of washing dogs.  After they closed the shop, they continued to run a dog sitting business from home, where he honed his dog whisperer skills.

Denny loved bikes, loved to ride and have fun, and he especially enjoyed doing it with his Jazzy Brothers MC friends and Marcy.  Epic rides to the Black Hills and Sturgis, Idaho’s Snake River and other destinations and adventures made for everlasting memories and entertaining stories.  A natural leader with an effortless gravitas, he was always found at the front of the pack on a ride. 

Together Denny and Marcy enjoyed the outdoors, nature and tending to their land.  They built a pond and wildlife habitat at the homestead and tended to their 25-acre farm where Marcy’s horses were boarded.  Denny was the silent engine that helped keep everything running -- maintaining the tractor, mending fences, mowing and fighting harsh winter cold to keep the water troughs from freezing up.  

Denny was comfortable spending time alone, chilling at home watching oldie movies or a ball game, tending his wood stove.  Denny’s garden supplied fresh produce that he cooked up, including a perfected fried okra.  He was a true connoisseur of life's finer plants. 

He was a keen observer of the world—well-informed, insightful, sharp-witted, and a steadfast judge of character who never suffered fools.

Above all, Denny was a caretaker at heart.  He helped care for his mother Essie, and while she insisted on helping herself, Denny was there for her until she passed at age 100.  When Marcy’s dad, Tim, was around for the summer, Denny helped out and enjoyed his company.  He was there for his brothers Doyle and Dwight in their time of need.  More recently he was helping care for his mother-in-law, Nancy, and fixing up a farmhouse for his niece, Dani. And of course he was always there to help Marcy however he could, including recording how-to videos that she will forever cherish.

Denny suffered injuries as the victim of a car accident on January 26, 2026, when on the way home from feeding the horses with Marcy and their dog Ziggy.  The dedicated staff at IU Methodist Hospital tried for days to save him, while many shared their hopes and prayers for recovery.  He passed quietly on the evening of February 6. 

Those who knew Denny well know that he was a rare gem, sparkling from many facets.  He may be gone but he will not be forgotten by those many who loved him.  He will be deeply missed.  May he rest in peace. 

Denny is preceded in death by his parents, brothers, and his friend and father-in-law Timothy Curry.

Denny is survived by his beloved wife Marcy, mother-in-law Nancy Poer, Tipton, in-laws Matt and Kimberly Curry, Carmel, Mindy and Todd Ketchum, Tipton, Jon and Donetta Adams, Tipton, Rebecca and Ryan Radel, Chattanooga, Jennifer and John Babcock, Bristol, Indiana, and 14 nieces and nephews including Martina Boyd, Windfall, Brian Luttrell, Elwood, Herb Luttrell, Tipton, and Jeremie Luttrell, Kokomo.

True to his humble nature, Denny requested that no formal funeral service be held. Instead, his family is planning a Celebration of Life to be announced at a later date, where friends can share stories and honor his legacy.

Memorials or donations may be made to the animal humane society of your choice. 

Taylor & Cowan Funeral Home is honored to serve the Luttrell family in their time of need. Please feel free to leave an online condolence or share a special memory of Denny with his family on his tribute wall.

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