Kelly, Raphael 'Ray'

Raphael “Ray” Kelly, 88, died Thursday, Sept. 22, 2011, at the Keystone Nursing Care Center. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 26, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Van Horne, with Father Brian Dellaert as celebrant. Interment will be held at Calvary Cemetery near Van Horne, with graveside military rites. Friends may call from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Phillips Funeral Home in Keystone, where a Scripture service will begin at 7 p.m. Friends may also call at the church in Van Horne after 9 a.m. Monday.

Raphael was born Sept. 9, 1923, in Van Horne, to Roy M. and Florence (O'Brien) Kelly, and graduated from the Van Horne High School. During World War II he served his nation in the Army Air Corps from 1943-1944. On June 21, 1944, he was united in marriage to Betty Jeanne Olson in El Paso, Texas. After returning from the service, Raphael farmed in the Van Horne area until his retirement in 1982.

He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Van Horne, Knights of Columbus and member and past commander of Thomas F. Bevins American Legion Post 148. He was a past president of the Van Horne Lions Club, past board member of Benton County REC and past committee member of the ASCS office.

Raphael was an avid Cubs and Cyclone fan and he enjoyed playing cards, RV camping and playing golf as a member of Tara Hills Country Club.

His memory will be cherished by his children, Dick (Sharon) Kelly of Burlington, Ky., Dennis Kelly of Chicago, Scotta (John) Williams of San Antonio, Texas and Doug (Adrianne) Kelly of Batavia, Ill.; four grandchildren, Shelly (Scott) Carlson, Adriana Williams and Griffin and Samantha Kelly; three great-grandchildren, Zoe, Lindey and Grace Carlson; his brother-in-law, Russell Weisert of Vinton; sister-in-law, Lorraine Kelly of Van Horne; and his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Joyce and Harold Schaefer of Cedar Rapids.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Betty Jeanne in 1990; son, Daniel Kelly; two brothers, Patrick Kelly and Paul Kelly; his sister, Bernadine Weisert; and his sister and brother-in-law, Bonnie and Bill Hite.

A memorial fund has been established.

Condolences may be left at:

Published Sept. 24, 2011, in The Gazette