Theodore Kelleher

Theodore J. "Ted" Kelleher, 80, of Wilmington, died Friday, May 23, 2014 at Bethesda North Hospital.

His wife, Patricia Taylor Kelleher, preceded him in death Jan. 19, 2001. Ted has been looking forward to being reunited with her again.

He was born Nov. 27, 1933 in Bucyrus, Ohio, a son of the late Raymond and Ruth Kelleher-Wilson.

After graduating from Marion St. Mary's High School in 1951, he attended Wilmington College, and participated in the Randall Co. work-study program. In 1955, he graduated from Wilmington College with a bachelor of science degree in mathematics and physics.

After graduation, he attended The Ohio State University for two semesters before being drafted into the U.S. Army.

Ted was assigned to the Army Chemical Center in Maryland as an analytical statistician where he met Patricia Taylor, a civilian secretary, whom he later married at St. Francis Catholic Church in Abingdon, M.D., in 1959.

He returned to work at the Randall Co. in 1958 and retired as plant engineer in 1998.

He was a very active member of St. Columbkille Catholic Church. He served as teacher for the fifth grade Sunday School for 50 years, past president of the church council, lector, eucharist minister and server for funeral masses.

He was the financial secretary of the Knights of Columbus Council 3369 for many years and other offices, totaling 55 years of the 62 years of his membership.

He was also a chartered member with Blessed Sacrament Assembly 2879 of the Fourth Degree Knights.

Ted was honored to serve as district deputy grand exalted ruler of the Ohio Elks Southwest District in 1998 and to be elected an honorary life member of the Wilmington Elks Lodge 797 in 1999.

He served the Elks as an officer for 13 years, twice as exalted ruler and secretary for eight of his 46 years as a member.

He participated in the Elks bowling and golf leagues, and many committee activities.

An avid card player, Ted spent many hours playing bridge, five hundred, poker and euchre.

He is survived by two sons, Michael (Lynn) Kelleher of Conifer, Col., and Keith Kelleher of Crozet, Va.; a daughter, Kimberly (Walter) Thomas of Lawrenceburg, Ind.; two brothers and three sisters-in-law, Leo and Gayle Kelleher of Springfield, Ohio, Patrick and Regina Kelleher of Marion, Ohio, and Jane Kelleher of Ottawa, Ohio; a brother-in-law, John Stueber of St. Louis, M.O.; seven grandchildren, John Theodore Kelleher, Ryan Kelleher, Corinne Kelleher, Ellen Thomas, Nicholas Thomas, Olivia Thomas, and Justin (Sarah) Simpson; and three great-grandchildren, Brianna Simpson, Alison Simpson, and Madelyn Simpson.

In addition to his wife and parents, two brothers, Timothy Kelleher and Robert Kelleher, and a sister, Rosemary Stueber, are preceded in death.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, May 27, at St. Columbkille Catholic Church, 73 N. Mulberry St., with Rev. Michael J. Holloran officiating.

Burial will be in Sugar Grove Cemetery.

Friends may call from 6-8 p.m., Monday, May 26, at Reynolds-Smith Funeral Home, 327 N. South St. An Elks service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Monday evening. A Knights of Columbus service will be held following the Elks service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 2300 Wall St., Suite H, Cincinnati, OH 45212 or to the American Diabetes Association, 300 Penn Center Blvd., Suite 602, Pittsburgh, PA 15235, or St. Columbkille Catholic Church, 73 N. Mulberry St., Wilmington, OH 45177.

For more information or to sign the registry of condolences, please visit www.smithandsonfuneralhomes.com.