Roy J. Kelley

Roy Kelley, 92, of Sioux Center, IA formerly of Winner, SD died Saturday, September 25, 2010 at Royale Meadows Care Center in Sioux Center, IA. A visitation will be held on Wednesday from 6-7:30PM at the Redeemer United Reformed Church of Orange City, Iowa. A memorial service for family and friends will follow the visitation Wednesday at 7:30PM at the Redeemer United Reformed Church with Rev. Bradd Nymeyer, officiating. A funeral service will be held Thursday at 1PM at the Orthodox Presbyterian Church of Winner SD with Rev. Bradd Nymeyer, officiating. Interment will follow the funeral service in the Winner Cemetery. Memorials should be directed to: Alzheimer's Research Alzheimer's Association P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011 or the Sioux Center United Reformed Church building fund. Arrangements are being completed with Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center. Roy Jack Kelley was born May 23, 1918 at Ideal, South Dakota and went to be with his Lord on September 25, 2010. He was the son of Henry and Hulda (Holmberg) Kelley and grew up on the family farm in Ideal, SD. He graduated from Ideal High School in 1936 and from South Dakota State University at Brookings, SD in 1942. From there he went into the US Marine Corps and spent three years overseas in the South Pacific. After retiring from active duty he served as a Major in the Marine Corp Reserves. On June 13, 1946 he married Phyllis Zimmerle in San Francisco, CA. Their oldest son, Dennis, was born in San Jose, CA before moving back to the family farm in Ideal, SD. They spent the next 40 years on the family farm. During that time five more children were born--David, Patricia, Paula, Kevin, and Koreen. In 1971 he started his own power cleaning business and was known as Captain Clean. He was a long time member and served as an elder in the Winner Orthodox Presbyterian Church. Music was an important part of Roy's life. He sang with a quartet and at many funerals, weddings, and other events. In 1994 they sold their family farm and moved to Sioux Center, IA where their son-in-law built them a new home. After moving to Iowa they became members of the United Reformed Church in Orange City, IA, and later Sioux Center. The last six and one-half years of his life were spent in long term care facilities at Brandon, SD and Sioux Center, IA. Roy is survived by his wife, Phyllis, of 64 years and six children: Dennis & Jean Kelley of Winner, SD, David & Ruth Ann Kelley of Rapid City, SD, Kevin & Lisa Kelley of Los Angeles, CA, Patricia & Steve Crull of Sioux Center, IA, Paula Crull of Reno, NV, and Koreen & Alex Simmons of Ventura, CA, 10 grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, three step great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his sister and her husband Nadine & Orval Schwinler of Mills, Wyoming and a sister-in-law, Joyce Watson of Bozeman, MT. Roy was preceded in death by his parents, his step-mother, Elsie (Newman) Kelley, his brother Glenn, his brother, Milton and his wife Jacqueline, his brother, Floyd and his wife Ellen, a sister, and her husband Jessie & Delbert Jackson, his brother-in-law, Hal Watson, his brother-in-law Jack Zimmerle and his wife Bette, and one grandson, Christopher Kelley. Online Condolences Lynette S. Eekhoff (nee Gritters) Holland Relationship: a person who is praying Dear Kelley family, I extend to you my prayers and thoughts as you grieve the death of your dad and grandpa. In God's Amazing Grace,Hope,Love and Mercy !! Lynette S. Eekhoff (nee Gritters) Death Is the Gateway to Eternal Life Death is just another step along life's changing way, No more than just a gateway to a new and better day. And parting from our loved ones is much easier to bear, When we know that they are waiting for us to join them there. So death is just a natural thing like the closing of a door, As we start upon a journey to a new and distant shore, And none need make this journey undirected or alone, For God promised us safe passage to this vast and great unknown. So let your grief be softened, and yeild no to despair, You have only placed your loved one in the loving Father's care. ~Unknown Sent: 9/27/2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Linda Schueth Gjoraas Brandon Relationship: Friend I was saddened to read of Jack's death. Many good memories came back to me of growing up in the Ideal community. I certainly remember coming to your home for dinner after church services on Sunday (the food was sooo good}. Attending basketball games at the Ideal Community Hall and going to Valentines Day parties at the Ideal School. Both Paula and I graduated from Winner High School in 1969. I also remember Jack singing at the Ideal Church. May all the wonderful memories of him bring you comfort during this time. Sent: 9/29/2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- John and Lois Hilbelink Rockford Relationship: Friends and members together in Christ As we express our deepest sympathies to you in Christ and grieve with you, along with you we do so with the hope that is in our risen Savior. Since our days in Hamill and Winner we have met on occasion, but always with the joy of good fellowship - like the time we unexpectedly met you at Casey's Bakery and enjoyed a good visit with you. Jack was a very faithful member of the Winner OPC session. In meetings, I had great respect for him as a very gentle, caring, and encouraging elder without comprising his convictions. Several vivid memories: a pleasant ride with him to presbytery in Carson, ND, tagging him out at third base at a softball game at the DeJong ranch, but with him charging into me and rolling over each other (Leo said it was the funniest thing he has seen in long time - like slow-motion), and most recently meeting Jack at Royal Meadows. May our Lord richly sustain you in his mercies in Christ. "From everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with this who fear him" (Ps 103). Our love to you in Christ, John and Lois Hilbelink Sent: 9/29/2010