Roger Clinton Kelly, Plymouth, made his final journey on Sunday, October 17, 2021 into Heaven.
Born on February 1, 1932 in LaCrosse, Indiana the third child of Stanley M. and Janel (Mills) Kelly. He attended Leiter’s Ford/ Aubee Township High School graduating with the class of 1950.
On May 12, 1962 at the E.U.B. Church in Teegarden, Indiana, Roger and Carolyn M. Fouts were united in marriage, and to this union were born their children Jane Ann and Michael Fouts Kelly.
During his youth, Roger weeded mint and peonies, worked for farmers in the LaCrosse area and peddled papers in town. After graduating from high school, he moved to Plymouth and lived with the late Herman and Ruth Rensberger at their West Jefferson Street home while he worked at Stevens Oil, Jeffirs Motors and Joe Stinson all located on the same street.
He enlisted in the Navy December 7, 1951 and was honorably discharged July 10, 1952. During his short Navy enlistment, he weighed less than 100 pounds in his dress blues at 6’1’’ and was ordered to go through the chow line three times per meal until he reached the weight of 120 pounds. After his honorable discharge in 1952, Roger went into the trucking business working for Paul Shoemaker in Plymouth hauling produce from Florida and potatoes from Gumz Farms near North Judson to Ft. Wayne.
Roger moved to LaPaz in 1953 and worked for Martin Oil on U.S. 6 and lived with the late Clarence and Esther Tyler and their sons. In 1955, he was offered a driving job for a year with Reefer Transit in Chicago while the main driver would take a year off to build a house. However, the driver ran out of money and came back to work before the year was over. Another Reefer Transit driver had his truck for sale and Dr. Charles and Margaret Jones, Reefer Transit owners suggested Roger buy this driver’s truck, (1954 Ford F-800) and they would help him financially, withdrawing from his paychecks until the loan was paid, thus the beginning of a 30-year driving career that he thoroughly enjoyed. Roger retired after 30 years as an owner/operator, over the road driver for Reefer Transit Line, Chicago and Cedar Rapids Steel Transportation, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Twenty-five of those 30 years, he drove for Reefer Transit until the owner filed bankruptcy.
Mr. Kelly enjoyed his family, friends and dogs. He will always be remembered for his enjoyment of a game of cards, a big appetite and a good joke. He was a big John Wayne fan and owned an interesting collection of the “Duke’s” memorabilia. After he was unable to work, he assisted in many community fundraisers and did volunteer driving.
Roger was baptized in the Lutheran Church in LaCrosse and was a member of the Lakeville United Methodist Church. A life member of the Bremen Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8972; Otho B. Place American Legion Post 192, Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 741, Moose Legion 96 in Plymouth and a former member of the LaPaz Volunteer Fire Department.
He is survived by his wife Carolyn of Plymouth; children: Jane Ann Kelly of South Bend; Michael Fouts Kelly of North Liberty; sisters: Eileen (LaVern) Hibner of Plymouth; Janet Lindvall of Plymouth; brothers: Robert Kelly of Jackonsville, NC; Ralph (Betty) Kelly of Bremen; James (Peggy) Kelly of Rochester; sister-in-law Betty Kelly (McFarland) of Jenison, MI; sister in-law and brother-in-law, Arlene and Roger McCan of Plymouth; extended family that includes Clarence and Betty Tyler of Mill Creek; Paul (Linda) Tyler of LaPaz; Michael (Mona) and Tyler of Live Oaks, CA; Robert Tyler of Boynton Beach, FL and their families and many friends, as well as several nieces and nephews.
Roger is preceded in death by his parents, brother Thomas Kelly, his infant sister, sister-in-law Pauline Kelly and Brother-in-law Larry Lindvall.
Visitation will be held on Friday, October 22, 2021 from 4-7 pm at the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan Street, Plymouth.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 23, 2021 at 11:00 am at the Lakeville United Methodist Church, 610 N Michigan St. Lakeville, IN 46536. Public visitation will be held from 10-11 until the start of the service.
Burial will take place in the Morris Cemetery, Walkerton with military honors rendered by the U.S. Navy.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Lakeville United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 24, Lakeville, IN 46536, LaPaz Volunteer Fire Department, 411 S Michigan St, La Paz, IN 46537 or to the Union North Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 510, Lakeville, IN 46536.
Jennifer Rush Kester says
Mike, prayers and hugs to you and your family during your loss. What a great man and role model you had. May thoughts and memories of him, bring you comfort. I know it did me, when my dad passed. Loss of a parent is hard at any age. So sorry for your loss, Jennifer Rush Kester
Carolyn, Jane and Mike Kelly says
Jennifer,
Thank you for your kind words; they are very comforting. God bless.
Carolyn, Jane and Mike Kelly
john says
i used to live in lapaz and was on the fire dept with him for a time and remember him from going to bowmans service station playing cards .. rest in peace roger
Carolyn, Jane and Mike Kelly says
John,
It was nice to hear from you and yes, Kelly spent alot of time at
Bowman’s station (I referred to it as Mayberry). Thank you for attending the visitation Friday night.
Carolyn, Jane and Mike Kelly says
John,
It was nice to hear from you and yes, Kelly spent alot of time at
Bowman’s station (I referred to it as Mayberry). Thank you for attending the visitation Friday night.
Angie Rice says
Carolyn,
I am so sorry to hear of your beloveds passing. I only met “Kelly” a couple of times, but when I did, he always had a great smile and made me laugh. May you remember all the wonderful times you shared with him, and cling to those as you maneuver through the coming months of grief. I am here if you ever want to have a cup of coffee and talk.
Love, Angie
Carolyn, Jane and Mike Kelly says
Angie,
I was so happy to hear from you; it brought back memories of the delicious meals you prepared for Bomarko.
You have been down this path and know what’s in store for me; my strong faith in God is getting me through this difficult time.,
Shelly and ron krominga says
We are sorry to hear about your loss. From the obit I can see where Mike gets his work ethic and sense of humor. I am so thankful for this loving family that has welcomed my sister and allowed her to be part of this amazing family. Please Rest In Peace in the arms of our savior.
Ron and Shelly Krominga
(Chris’ sister)
Carolyn, Jane and Mike Kelly says
Shelly and Ron,
I sincerely thank you for your kind words. My faith in God is getting me through this trying time. God bless.
Brent Albert says
Words cannot begin to come out in the time of such fresh hurt and heartache, but the memories are allowed to remain, sustain, enlighten and embrace for days and years ahead. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Kelly will live in peace, but will always be a piece of our family in spirit and memories of so many shared times.
Carolyn, Jane and Mike Kelly says
Brent,
So great to hear from you and yes there are many good memories
with the Albert family. Your Mom and Kelly let there fingernails grow for our wedding. She served cake and punch at our reception and your Dad was a groomsman. There is a picture of you and Bruce almost putting your fingers in the cake in our wedding album – what good times!
Kelly is a wonderful husband and father and we sorely miss him in this life.
Tammy Lemert says
Carolyn, Jane& Mike, so sorry for for your loss. Lots of love & happy memories to cherish. Tammy Lemert
Carolyn, Jane and Mike Kelly says
Tammy,
Your kind words mean a lot to us. Thank you for thinking of us. God bless.
Nancy Long Brown says
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for the family.
Carolyn, Jane and Mike Kelly says
Brent,
So great to hear from you and yes there are many good memories
with the Albert family. Your Mom and Kelly let there fingernails grow for our wedding. She served cake and punch at our reception and your Dad was a groomsman. There is a picture of you and Bruce almost putting your fingers in the cake in our wedding album – what good times!
Kelly is a wonderful husband and father and we sorely miss him in this life.
Nancy,
Your words of comfort are very much appreciated. We had a very good life together.
I have to ask – are you Harold and Dorothy’s youngest daughter? It has been many years since I’ve seen you. God bless.
Nenneth Klinedinst says
Sorry for your loss…Nenneth Howell Klinedinst
Carolyn, Jane and Mike Kelly says
Neen,
We cherish your kind and thoughtful words. God bless.
Cindy Milner says
Carolyn, we are so sorry to read of Roger’s passing. You were such a devoted wife, and he was lucky to be married to you.
Enjoy your memories.
Cindy and Dan Milner
Carolyn, Jane and Mike Kelly says
Cindy and Dan,
Kelly was very devoted to me as well. Your thoughtful words are much appreciated.
Barbara Cole says
Jane and Carolyn I will keep you in my prayers as you go through this mourning time. It is not easy to lose your dad or your husband and I pray for solace for your whole family.
Barb Cole
Jane says
Thank you for your kind thoughts & words.
John Hannabach says
Carolyn, I am sorry to learn about the death of Roger. I went to grade school and high school with Roger. We were in the Leiters Ford Class of 1950. Roger used to live in DeLong, Indiana, and I remember doing an occasional sleepover at his house. That was a BIG deal back in those days. I did not realize that Roger was a few months older than I am – I was born in July, 1950. I enlisted in the Navy right after we graduated high school and spent four years including three years in Korea. The last time I saw Roger was at our 50th Class Reunion. I really appreciated his obituary. John
Bill Killian says
“Kelly” was a life-long friend of the Killian family in Tyner. In the latter years I kept up with him through his wife, Carolyn, a classmate of mine, Tyner High School, 1957. I’ve never met a finer man than Roger Kelly. I will miss him, and I will always remember his laughter, kindness, and wonderful stories. Bill Killian.
Ted Karnavas says
To the entire Kelly family,
While I never met Mr Kelly, after reading his obituary I am sure that we would have gotten along just fine. Mr and Mrs Kelly raised a fine Son. I had the privilege of meeting Mike through our place of employment driving Hazmat for a MC Trucking company. You might say we helped one another though some difficult days at work.
Thank you all for giving me a lifelong friend, that would be Mike, I am very grateful.
By the way, for the folks that have not met his girl Christine….you are gonna love her.
Let’s keep the memories alive and always celebrate the man the good Lord gave us, Roger C. Kelly.
Gloria Schmeltz Krieg says
My sympathy and prayers Caroline. I prayer all the happy memories will fill your heart this day and always.
Gloria Schmeltz Krieg
Barbara Hairston says
Thank you for including me in the family when we were younger. You all have held a very special place in my heart. I am so sorry for the pain you are feeling. Prayers for comfort and peace to your family.
Jane says
Thank you for making the trip from Georgia to pay your respects and for taking the video/pictures.
Barbara Hairston says
That’s what family does. Love y’all.
Diana/Greg Nielsen says
Carolyn,
Sorry to hear of the passing of “Kelly”, as he told us of the story of how you two met. We very much enjoyed his stories when he would come in to order your flowers. Thinking of you and sending you love,
Greg and Diana Nielsen
Laurie Evans says
Mike,
I know this was a very hard time on you all. May you all find peace.
Charles Cartwright says
Mike so sorry for the loss of your Father, after reading the obituary sounds like he was a wonderful man. Our prayers and sympathy to you and your family.
Suzanne Gibson says
THE MEMBERS OF VFW AUXILIARY 1162 PLYMOUTH INDIANA ARE
SADDEN TO HEAR OF ROGER’S PASSING OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS
WE WANT TO THANK AND HONOR ROGER FOR HIS SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY GOD BLESS HIM
SUZANNE GIBSON
VFW AUXILIARY 1162
CHAPLAIN & SECRETARY
vfwpost1162@gmail.com
Beverly Towle says
Carolyn I am so sorry for your loss. I know you will miss him – you were always there for him.
Candice Dunsizer Engle says
Roger Kelly Family,
My parents, Paul and Margaret Dunsizer, certainly thought a lot of Roger. They sought him out at Aubbee gatherings; praised his parents; his hard-working nature; and his dedication to family.
I am so sorry for your loss.
Lora Marie Wade says
Dear Jane, I am so sorry I was not able to come to the viewing or the funeral. Please know that I am thinking of you and your family with love and prayers.
Lora Wade
Jane says
Lora, Thank you for your kind thoughts.