Lela Kellar

October 18, 1914-July 1, 2012

Lela Frances Allen Kellar, age 97, of Kokomo, died at 11:30 a.m. July 1, 2012 at Community Howard Regional Hospital. She was born October 18, 1914, in Carroll County, Indiana, to Fred and Effie (Trent) Allen. On February 11, 1938, Lela married Robert Lewis Kellar in the First Baptist Church, Kokomo.

A member of South Side Christian Church for over 70 years, she had been president of several women’s circles. She was also a Girl Scout leader, a past president of Mid Century Home Makers Extension Club, and a member of the Kokomo Senior Center where she loved to play bingo. She enjoyed working in her flower garden and making Afghans and craft items for family. She always had a baby blanket for the new babies, and they are treasured. She made doll furniture for the church to sell at their tag sales, and the furniture sold quickly and was asked for each year. Every year she went on a Mother Daughter trip with her five daughters, and it was a special trip for her. She enjoyed traveling and went on many trips with her home extension club and with the Florida Park where she lived in the winter for many years. She and her husband also enjoyed delivering meals on wheels together.

She is survived by her husband of 74 years, Robert Lewis Kellar; seven children, Virginia (Joe) Poland of Gahanna, Ohio, Rebecca (Rex) Higgins of Howard County, Barbara (Tim) Terry of Conway, South Carolina, Kathryn Oakley (partner Al High) of Kokomo, Jeffrey (Linda) Kellar of Kokomo, Phyllis (Peter) Baker of Kokomo, and Rick (Sandy) Kellar of Valparaiso; 18 grandchildren; 3 step-grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; 11 step-great-grandchildren; 9 great-great-grandchildren; three brothers, Charles Allen of Kokomo, Keith (Barbara) Allen of Florida, and Norman Allen of Kokomo; one sister, Betty (Bud) Maudlin of Kokomo; and many nieces and nephews.

Lela was preceded in death by brothers, Cleo Allen and John Allen; a sister, Exie Allen Johnston; and one step-grandson, Rodney Terry.

Thank you to Community Howard Regional Hospital and staff for your kindness during this time.

The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at South Side Christian Church, 201 E. Markland, Kokomo, IN 46901, with Rev. Rebecca Sundquist officiating. Entombment will follow in Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home, 2097 W. Alto Rd., Kokomo, IN 46902. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to South Side Christian Church. Online messages of condolence may be made at www.sunsetmemorygarden.com.