Roger E. Kelley

With a life that spanned times of great change in the world around him, Roger Kelley lived a life of purpose while holding his loved ones near. He was never one to worry about the things of this world, rather, his focus was on living out the faith that he held near and dear to his heart. Second only to his faith was the love that Roger had for his family, and although he cherished his roles as a husband and father he just may have argued that nothing was better than becoming a grandfather and great-grandfather. Although he will be deeply missed, Roger leaves behind a priceless collection of memories that his loved ones will forever cherish.

The 1930s were a time of great trial as the Great Depression covered our nation and much of the world throughout the entire decade. Jobs were hard to come by, the unemployment rate soared, and countess American families felt the strain. Despite the challenges around them, Harry A. and Lillie (Phillips) Kelley were able to shift their focus to an exciting time in their own lives as they announced the birth of the baby boy they named Roger E. on August 16, 1932, in Churubusco, Indiana. Raised in the family home in the small town of Collins, he was one of nine Kelley children as his siblings included Harry, Phyllis, Leonard, Harold, Roy, Agnes, Sharon, and Wanda. As a young boy Roger learned to work hard as he was often out in the onion and sod fields. As a student at local schools, his high school years found him at Churubusco High School where he was involved in the Future Farmers of America.

After graduating from high school in 1950, Roger was drafted into the United States Army in February of 1953. These were the days of the Korean Conflict, and he was stationed in Korea where he could hear the lions out in the jungle. Roger was later sent to Japan and then to Hawaii before being honorably discharged in January of 1955.

With his military duties fulfilled, Roger returned home. He started working at the Blue Bell jean factory in Columbia City, but it was his personal life that soon became very exciting. One evening he went out to the Happy Valley roller rink and ran into a coworker named Lois who introduced him to her sister, Rosalie Jo-Ann Bair. Sparks flew, and they soon found themselves deeply in love. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together Roger and Rosalie were married on November 24, 1956, at the parsonage of the Church of the Nazarene in Columbia City. The newlyweds first lived in Columbia City. They then moved up to Merriam before moving to Round Lake at Tri-Lakes. It was there that they raised their three girls, Julie, Kimberly, and Amy before moving to their current home in Columbia City in 1973.

Rogers strong work ethic followed him as an adult. He spent a short time drilling wells for his brother-in-law and also at Weatherhead in Columbia City. When he sensed layoffs coming, Roger knew he would need something more stable in order to provide for his family so he became and auto body repairman. Throughout his career, he had worked at Ft. Wayne Leasing, Ryder Trucking, and Buchannan, and he retired from Trier Automotive in 1994.

There was never anything of greater importance in Rogers life than his family. He adored his wife, and the two were nearly inseparable. Every summer the family looked forward to traveling up to Michigan where they spent time at a family cottage on Rose Lake in Coldwater. They would also load up the car with a board in the back so the girls could lay down and travel to Rhode Island to visit Rogers brother, Harold. They often just went out for Sunday drives. On Friday nights Rosalie was usually bowling, which left Roger in charge. If he needed to go back to the shop to finish up a job, he took the girls with him, bought them a pop, and just had them sit and wait while he finished. Their reward came once he was done when he took them out to Penguin Point for dinner. Life was forever changed for Roger and Rosalie on August 24, 1977, when their 11 year old daughter, Amy Jo, passed away from leukemia.

Later in life Roger was thrilled to become a grandfather with the birth of his granddaughter, Katie. It was easy to see that the sun rose and set with Katie, and Roger was an important part of her life. Just like he taught his own daughters to drive, Roger taught Katie how to drive stick in his 1984 Chevy truck. Things only got better when two great-grandsons, Bredyn and Mason joined the family. Roger also faced hard times later in life as he was so deeply saddened with his beloved Rosalies death on February 8, 2014.

Throughout his life Roger maintained an active lifestyle. He was a faithful member of Church of the Nazarene in Columbia City where he sang in the choir and played the guitar and organ. Within his community he was also a member of the Lions Club and Optimist Club. An outdoor lover, Roger loved fishing. He once went on a fishing trip to Canada with friends and also went to Petoskey, Michigan. Roger was also an avid golfer, liked tending to his vegetable garden and just watching the squirrels and birds. For years he was a bowler, and later in life he started playing pool with his nephew, Keith. Roger was an ice cream lover, especially when it was butter pecan, and he liked watching Hee-Haw as well as bowling, golf, and the occasional Colts football game on television.

All who knew Roger Kelley would agree that he was an extraordinary man to know and love. He was more quiet and reserved by nature, but he didnt shy away from speaking his mind if he was asked. Roger worked hard, but he also made the time to enjoy life along the way. There was no greater gift in his life than his family, and he savored every moment he spent with his loved ones. Deeply loved, Roger will never be forgotten.

Roger E. Kelley, 84, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away at 2:08 a.m. Wednesday, December 7, 2016, at Millers Merry Manor in Columbia City with his family surrounding him. He is survived by his daughters, Julie Kelley and Kimberly (Kevin) Paunovich, both of Columbia City; brothers, Leonard (Melinda) Kelley, of Bloomington, Harold Kelley, of Cape Coral, Florida and Roy (Joretta) Kelley, of Leighigh, Florida.; sisters, Agnes Hull, Sharon (Dean) Growcock, Wanda (Gene) Herendeen, all of Columbia City; granddaughter, Katie (Matt) Gilbert, of Columbia City; and great-grandsons, Bredyn Gilbert and Mason Gilbert. Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Lillie Kelley; wife, Rosalie Jo-Ann Kelley; daughter, Amy Jo Kelley; brother, Harry Kelley; and sister, Phyllis Hoopingardner.

Visitation is from 1-5 p.m. Sunday, December 11, 2016, at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral home with Pastor Thomas Beers of the Church of the Nazarene officiating. Roger will be laid to rest by his wife and daughter at St. Matthews Cemetery. There, military honors will be rendered by the Whitley County Korean War Veterans Honor Guard. Memorial gifts may be given in his memory to Church of the Nazarene, Parkview Whitley Home Health Care and Hospice or St. Judes Childrens Research Hospital. Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send family condolences or sign the guest register book.