Donald Joseph Kelly

KELLY Donald Joseph Donald Kelly 82, of Toledo, Ohio passed away Sunday, June 28, 2009 at the Goerlich Center at Flower Hospital. Don was born in Toledo, Ohio on November 17, 1926, to Joseph and Rose (Taverna) Kelly. Don grew up in East Toledo and was a resident of Oregon, Ohio for 37 years where he raised his family. He attended and graduated from Waite High School. He was a World War II Army Veteran. In his early days, Don was an adventurer - sailing the Great Lakes serving as a deckhand before going onto World War II to serve as an MP in the Philippines. After returning from the War he joined Pheasant Linen as a salesman. He continued with Toledo Towel Supply and ultimately Midwest Linen. He enjoyed going out and meeting people and new restaurant customers. He did this for 37 years, before moving on to work as a lottery auditor for the State of Ohio, which he did for 11 years truly enjoying visiting the small towns of Northwest Ohio and meeting all sorts of interesting people. Don was also an entrepreneur. He and his wife, Dolores opened and operated Kelly's Fine Fashions on Main Street in East Toledo from 1962 to 1977. Many of their employees were friends and family. He also dabbled in real estate. He worked for Snyder Realty in the 1970's and during his retirement he worked as an appraiser. Don was active in his community and belonged to many organizations and clubs. He was a member of the Lucas County Democratic Party where he served many years as a precinct committeeman. He was a lifetime member of the Oregon Democratic Club. In 1994, Don was honored by the Lucas County Democratic Party with the Lifetime Achievement Award. He once drove former President Harry Truman on a stop in Toledo in 1959. Don was a member of the American Legion - Arthur Daly Post #334; a lifetime member of the VFW Post 2510; and a 50 plus year member of the Knights of Columbus Council #11450. Don was a charter member of P.E.R.I. (Public Employees Retirement Inc) #93 where he served as president. Don enjoyed being involved in the East Toledo community and served as a board member of the River East Economic Revitalization Corp. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Surviving are his loving wife, Dolores; children, Monica (Michael) Dansack, Donn Kelly of Minneapolis, MN, Mathew Kelly of Columbus, Ohio; granddaughter, Emily Dansack; sisters, Joyce (Robert) Lyons of Erie, MI, Nancy (Gene) Dubuc of Sylvania; brothers, Stewart (Virginia) Kelly of Federal Way, WA, Franklin (Patricia) Kelly of Toledo; sister-in-law, Dorothy Kelly of Indiana, along with many nieces and nephews. Don was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Robert and sister, Colleen Porter. Special thanks to Hospice of Northwest Ohio, especially Amy, Jeanine, Cheryl and Jeff, who provided compassionate care to Don and his family. Friends and family may visit at the Eggleston Meinert Pavley Funeral Home Oregon Chapel, 440 S. Coy Road, on Wednesday from 2 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will begin in the funeral home on Thursday at 9:15 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 10:00 a.m. in Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Interment will follow in Resurrection Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy in Don's memory may be given to Hospice of Northwest Ohio, 30000 East River Road, Perrysburg, OH, or to Sacred Heart Catholic Church or to Cardinal Stritch High School. www.egglestonmeinert.com