Thomas Jefferson Kelley

1933 - 2025

Bishop Thomas Jefferson Kelley, 92, of Karns City, a longtime, well-respected church pastor, went to be with the Lord Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 24, 2025, while in the company of his loving wife and family at Butler Memorial Hospital.
Thomas was born in Oil City on Feb. 11, 1933. He was the son of the late Kenneth J. and Muriel Irene Griffen Kelley.
He was a graduate of Oil City High School and the Bible Training Institute in Cleveland, Tenn. Bishop Kelley first pastored for the Church of God of Prophecy, Cleveland, Tenn. for many years, serving churches in Rimersburg, Sunnyside, Poplar Run in Normalville, Butler and Huey. Bishop Kelley was later ordained in the Church of God of Cleveland, Tenn., and had been pastoring since 1995 in that denomination in Karns City and Vandergrift, preaching his last sermon on Thanksgiving.
Bishop Kelley was a devoted Christian and his ministry centered around preaching the Gospel and caring for and helping others. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and the company of his dog, Buddy. He was a devoted family man and most especially enjoyed spending time with his grandkids.
Tom was preceded in death by his first wife, Maxine Elizabeth Blauser Kelley, on Sept. 20, 1971. The couple had been married for more than 20 years. Their children survive, Debra L. Thompson and her husband, Ron, and Thomas J. Kelley, all of Six Points, Bess E. Croyle and her husband, Bishop Jay Croyle, of Foxburg, and the Rev. Jeffrey Kelley and his wife, Sue, of West Virginia.
Bishop Kelley is survived by his second wife, Alma J. Ryan Kelley, whom he married at the Six Points Church of God of Prophecy on Nov. 4, 1972. He is survived by their children, Ryan N. Kelley, of Karns City, and Julie I. Fichter and husband, Brad, and K. Dawn Elmadollar and her husband, Nathan, all of Petrolia, Tiffany L. Yute and her husband, Keith H., of Karns City; 22 grandchildren; and a number of great grandchildren; three sisters, Katie Moyer, of Franklin, and Donna L. Kelley and Karen Kelley, both of Oil City; and one brother, Kenneth Kelley, of Franklin; a special niece, Laura Pierce, of Rocky Grove; as well as a number of other nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins.
In addition to his parents and first wife, he was preceded in death by a son, Timothy; and siblings, Nancy Pierce, Daisy Mallery, Elvira Cline and Gary Kelley.
KELLEY - Friends of Bishop Thomas Jefferson Kelley, who died Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025, will be received from 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30, and from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Dec. 31, at HILE FUNERAL HOME OF KARNS CITY, 128 Main St., Karns City.
A funeral service will follow at noon at the funeral home with the Rev. John A. Burdett, pastor of the Monongahela Church of God, officiating.
Interment will be in Prairie Cemetery, Harrisville.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Church of God at Karns City, 105 Jay Lane, Karns City, PA 16041.
Condolences may be sent by visiting www.hilefh.com.