Donald P. Kelly

Peoria – Donald P. Kelly, 85, of Peoria, IL passed away Saturday, November 08, 2014 at Unity Point Proctor Hospital. He was born April 20, 1929 in Peoria Heights, IL son of Earl L. and Beatrice (Rask) Kelly. Both preceded him in death along with his brother Earl Kelly of Princeton, IL.

He is survived by his wife, four sons, nine grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren, three nieces, and two nephews.

Donald loved flying, he and his wife owned an aircraft based in Lacon, IL, and later Chicago, IL. He enjoyed boating on the river and motorcycling, with three of his sons, in many states. Donald had visited every state except Alaska and Hawaii on a motorcycle with his longtime friend, including Canada from Ontario to British Columbia after they retired from U.S. Steel.

Donald also loved snowmobiling, jazz music, their Lowry organ, reading, and spending many happy days on their lake property in Karnack, TX with his sons and family while stationed in Texas with U.S. Steel.

He was a United States Navy Veteran who participated in the “Bikini Scientific Commission” at Bikini Island in 1947 analyzing the effects of the 1946 atomic bomb test aboard the U.S.S. Chilton APA – 38.

Donald retired from U.S. Steel in 1992 where he managed many branches for them in Chicago, IL, Davenport, IA, Rock Island, IL, South Bend, IN, Dallas, TX, Houston, TX, and San Antonio, TX.

He was a lifetime member of the V.F.W. Post 814 in Peoria, IL, a member of the American Legion Post 2 of Peoria, IL, a plank owner of the U.S.S. Chilton Association, founding member of the American Air Museum of Duxford, England, founding member of the National Museum of the U.S. Marine Corp., founding member of the United States Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C., and a member of the Historical Naval Ship Association in Annapolis, MD.

Services will be held at 10 am Wednesday, November 12, 2014 at Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel in Peoria, IL. Visitation will be Tuesday from 6 – 8 pm at the funeral home. Interment will be in Springdale Cemetery. Memorials may be made to V.F.W. Post 814 in Peoria, IL. Online tributes and condolences may be made at www.Davison-Fulton.com