Philip Lee Kaley

Philip Lee Kaley, age 88, of Park Rapids, MN, passed away on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at Heritage Living Center in Park Rapids, MN, with his family by his side.

Phil was born on March 30, 1936, out in the country near DeLong, IN, the son of the late John and Bodie (Lang) Kaley. He attended country school in DeLong and Logansport Public Schools after the family moved when he was 7. On December 9, 1961, he was married to Helen Poorman in Logansport, IN. They made their home in Logansport and Lucerne and Phil worked at the Chrysler Corporation Assembly Plant in Kokomo, IN, for 14 years. On Memorial Day weekend in 1969, the family moved to Park Rapids, MN, fulfilling a dream Phil had since childhood to move to Minnesota. When he was a child his parents would come here for 2 weeks every year to fish and relax. Phil and Helen moved to a home in the woods for a couple years and then to the home they would live in until they moved to Park Villa in 2023. During his career, Phil worked for Norseman Motors in Detroit Lakes, MN, and Ness Motors in Park Rapids. He then went to work with his friend Dick Nordstrom at Dicks Auto Repair until his retirement. Even in retirement though he would still fix cars that anyone brought to him. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, being outdoors, and spending time with his family and friends. He was a joy to be around and always had a smile on his face. He was known as the Candyman throughout Park Rapids for handing out candy wherever he would go.

Phil is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Helen; children, Ron (Roberta) Sherman, Pat (Dean Britton) Sherman-Healy, Beverly Sherman, Sherry Pfaff, Bill (Cindy) Kaley, and Marcia (Phillip) Neumayer; 18 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Bodie; brothers, Ken, Harold, Virgil, John, and Bob; sisters, Betty and Helen Eileen; and grandson, Drew.

Memorial Service for Phil will be held at 4:00 pm on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at the Park Rapids Assembly of God, 208 Western Ave S, Park Rapids, MN, 56470, with a time for visitation 1 hour before the service. Inurnment will take place at Osage Cemetery in the Summer of 2025.

Arrangements entrusted to Jones Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MN. Online Guestbook ~ www.jonespearson.com