KELLY, Earl Edmond - b. November 30, 1912 - d. October 6, 2008

[patyrn]

Earl Edmond Kelly, 95, of Cedar Vale Kansas, passed away October 6, 2008 at the Via Christi Regional Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas. Earl was born November 30, 1912 in Harmon, Oklahoma to William and Irene (Custer) Kelly.  He was raised and educated in the Harmon area and graduated from Arnett High School in 1934.  

Earl married Irene Coram on December 10, 1936 in Woodward, Oklahoma.  After working briefly in the oilfield, in highway construction, and as a Rawleigh salesman, they moved to Cedar Vale, Kansas in 1938.  Earl and Irene farmed and ranched in the Cedar Vale area for over 60 years while rising a family of five children.  In addition to their farming and ranching efforts, Earl operated a custom harvesting crew for 36 years as well as a seeding and fencing crew for 10 years.

Earl, as a man of faith, was active in local churches serving as Sunday School teacher, Sunday School superintendent, trustee, and deacon.  He published two religious books based on his Bible studies.  Earl expanded his influence when he also hosted a weekly Bible study on radio station KGGF in Coffeyville, Kansas and became known to his listeners as Neighbor Earl.

Earl also assumed many civic responsibilities.  He served on the Cedar Vale school board for 16 years and was a member of Lion's Club and the Chamber of Commerce.  Earl supported local youth by providing summer employment, coaching summer baseball, and supporting 4-H programs.  Earl also represented Chautauqua County as a delegate to the State Board of Agriculture.

Earl and Irene traveled extensively because of Irene's duties with Associated County Women of the World.  These travels took them to 49 states and to countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and North American, including a six-week around-the-world trip.

Earl was preceded in death by his wife Irene; his son Gerry; his grandson Jason; his brothers Lee, Bert, and Claude; and his sisters Ava Bryant and Nellie Cook.

Earl is survived by his daughter, Patsy Johnson and husband Robert of South Windham, Connecticut; his son, Carl Kelly and wife JoAnn of Peck, Kansas; his son, Myrl Kelly and wife Judy of Wichita, Kansas; his son, Lynn Kelly and wife Kay of Grenola, Kansas;  his daughter-in-law, Linda Kelly of Lawrence, Kansas; his granddaughters, Karen Sharp, Julie Johnson, Jill Todd, Jennifer Zreloff, Shannon Kelly, Holly Adams, Elizabeth Richards, Rachel Kelly, and Anne Kelly;  his grandsons, Bruce Kelly, Steven Kelly, Michael Kelly, Matthew Kelly, Justin Kelly, Alex Kelly, Drew Kelly, Chris Kelly, and Daniel Kelly; and 23 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 11, 2008 at the First Baptist Church of Cedar Vale, Kansas.  Burial will take place at the Round Mound Cemetery immediately following the service.  The body will lie in state at the Zimmerman Funeral Home in Howard, Kansas between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 10, 2008.  The family will be present to meet friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  

Memorials have been established at three of the churches where Earl attended:  Wauneta United Methodist Church, First Baptist Church of Cedar Vale, and the Grenola Christian Church.  Contributions may be made through Zimmerman Funeral Home, Howard, Kansas who will be responsible for funeral arrangements.  Online condolences may be left at www.countrysidefh.com.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)