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Richard Kelty
RICHARD "SARGE" KELTY
Vinton
Richard "Sarge" Kelty, 78, died Thursday, April 16, 2015, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City following a brief illness. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 21, at St. Mary's
Catholic Church in Urbana, with Father Ardel Barta as celebrant. Interment will be at St. Mary's Cemetery in Urbana, with graveside military rites conducted by Walter J. Meyocks American Legion Post 264 of Urbana and Iowa Military Funeral Honors. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday at the church, where a vigil service will begin at 7 p.m.
A memorial fund has been established for Walter J. Meyocks American Legion Post 264 of Urbana.
Richard was born Aug. 17, 1936, in Vinton to Howard and Dixie (Wilford) Kelty, and graduated from the Urbana High School in 1954. On June 28, 1955, he was united in marriage to Rita Zieser at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Urbana. She preceded him in death on Jan. 21, 2011.
He retired from the U.S. Army in 1982 at the rank of Sergeant First Class after serving his nation for 20 years. After returning to Urbana, he founded the K & K Popcorn business.
Richard was a longtime member of Walter J. Meyocks American Legion Post 264, serving as post and county commander. He also was a member of the Urbana Lions Club and St. Mary's Catholic Church.
Richard was a true patriot, an avid fisherman and an enthusiastic follower of the St. Louis Cardinals.
He is survived by his children, Mark (Linda) Kelty of Vinton, David (Donna) Kelty of Walker, Brett (Loraine) Kelty of Vinton, Shannon (Karie) Kelty of Vinton, Lori (Lonnie) Williams of Urbana and Sean Kelty of Center Point; his grandchildren, Nick, Matt, Lauren, Megan, Brandon, Jesse, Lindsay, Sydney, Jacob, Madison and McKenna Kelty, Jama Kniffen, Carly Greenfield, Spenser, Dillon, Whitney and Reilly Williams; and his great-grandchildren, Kaleb, Chloe and Kinnick Kelty, and Kenadi and Nile Kniffen.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by an infant brother.
Phillips Funeral Home is in charge of arrange-ments. Condolences may be left at www.phillipsfuneral homes.com.
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