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John Kelly Obituary
BELLEFONTAINE – John Barnes Kelly, 89, of Bellefontaine, died quietly at his home on Wednesday evening, October 15, 2014, surrounded by his family.
He was born in Bellefontaine, Ohio on August 29, 1925 to the late John Davis and Ruth Elizabeth (Barnes) Kelly and was raised in West Liberty. Also preceding him in death were an infant son, Matthew Kelly, brother, James Kelly, step-mother, Mary (Bailey) Kelly, and an aunt, Monicha Simpson.
John was married for 61 years to Joan Pearson Kelly, formerly of Webster, South Dakota, who survives him with their children, John Kelly of Brooklyn, New York, Pat (Chris) Ward of Milford, Massachusetts, Peg (Bill) Torness of Sisseton, South Dakota, and Katie (Jack Cardone) Kelly of Glen Ridge, New Jersey, and their grandchildren, Alison, Matthew and Stephen Ward, Will, Jack and Maggie Torness and Andrew Cardone.
John was a WWII veteran and piloted the B-25 ("Mitchell") bomber in the Army Air Corps. He graduated from the Ohio State University Law School in 1951 and practiced law in Bellefontaine for more than 50 years. He was a member of the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, a Mason and a Shriner, and was continuously active in the civic life of the community, particularly championing public schools, environmental protection and moderate political principles. He loved basketball, tennis and golf, hunted and fished, and was an avid collector of antiques.
Pastors Jonathan Bull and David Buchenroth will officiate a memorial service at 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 19, 2014 at the First Lutheran Church, Bellefontaine. Military honors will be provided by Logan County Honor Guard. Visitation will be Saturday, October 18, 2014 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Eichholtz Funeral Home, Bellefontaine.
Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to Doctors Without Borders, 333 7th Avenue, New York, NY 10001-5004, Universal Home Health & Hospice, 701 South Main Street, Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311, or the Holland Theatre, 127 East Columbus, Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311.
Funeral arrangements are in care of the EICHHOLTZ FUNERAL HOME in Bellefontaine.
Condolences may be expressed at www.edsfh.com.
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