Carlos E. “Skeeter” Kelly, Jr., 67, 2048 W. County Line Road, Walkerton, a lifetime Marshall County area resident, was taken ill at home on Wednesday and died of an apparent heart attack at 5:54 p.m. on Thursday, October 11, 2001, in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Plymouth. Skeeter was born in South Bend, on March 4, 1934, the son of Carlos P. and Gertrude Van Lue Kelly. He graduated from North Liberty High School with the class of 1952 and served with the United States Army in Korea. On July 1, 1968, in Walkerton, he and his wife, Dorothy L. Madison, were married. Skeeter was a highly regarded employee of Modine Manufacturing in LaPorte. He retired as a supervisor in 1995, after 31 years of service. He admired vintage cars and guns and enjoyed watching TV. He loved people: especially children and took the time to get to know them. Outspoken, he was a man of great good humor and was known for his camaraderie. He was a member of V.F.W. Post 1954, North Liberty and American Legion #189, Walkerton, where he served as a Vice-Commander. In Plymouth, he was a Second Counselor of the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints. Skeeter is survived by his spouse, Dorothy, and by several children and step-children. Skeeter is also survived by his mother, Gertrude Singleton, New Carlisle, Ind. His two daughters are Vicky and Richard Stepien, Niles, Mich., and Judy and Greg Nifong, Elkhart. A son, Terry and Cindy Moon of Houston, Texas, also survives. Step-daughter Dina L. and Tim, Brooks, Bourbon, and two step-sons, Kent V. Upchurch, and John J. and Jennifer Upchurch, all of Indianapolis, survive as well. Four grandchildren and seven step-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews also survive together with three sisters and a brother. They are: Lou Ann and Art LaBere, Bridgeview, Ill., Patty and Hal Baker, South Bend, Ind., and Debbie Singleton, Terre Haute, Ind. A brother, Gene and Carol Kelly, of Myrtle Beach, N. Carolina, also survives Skeeter’s death. Visitation with the family will be on Sunday, October 14, 2001, from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, October 15, 2001, in the funeral home. President Don Brincefield of the Plymouth Church of Latter Day Saints will officiate. The VFW Post 1954 and the American Legion Post 189 will provide military graveside honors at Porter Rae Cemetery, North Liberty, where Skeeter will be buried.
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