David L. Kelly

Born March 22, 1943 in Erie, Pennsylvania to Gerald L. and Pauline (Webb) Kelly, he married Margaret J. Geiselman on February 15, 1964 in Bryan, Ohio. Together they enjoyed 57-years of Christian marriage.

Surviving are his wife; two daughters, Denise (Greg) Green of Bloomington and Dawn (Jonathan) Getz of Peoria; seven grandchildren, Kyle Bianchi, Kevin Bianchi, both of Pekin, Emily Bianchi of Bloomington, Joshua Getz of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Carson Getz of Peoria and Michelle (Ryan) Musil of Lake Camelot and Brittany (Jeff) Wagnaar of Manito and five great-grandchildren, Sydney Ratton, Trace Musil, Blake Musil, Pyper Bianchi and Bjorn Wagnaar.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Gary Michael Kelly on September 29, 2010 in Pekin; one daughter, Julie Anne Ratton on April 20, 2020 in Peoria and one brother, Eugene Kelly.

A graduate of East High School in Erie, Pennsylvania, Dave started his working career with G.C. Murphy Company. He worked his way up the company ladder from stock boy to store manager, starting in Defiance, Ohio, to Bowling Green, Ohio, to Bryan, Ohio, to Linton, Indiana to Berwyn, Vandalia, to Upper Arlington near Columbus, Ohio and then to Pekin. After 17 years he decided to pursue another career, working with Podiatry Arts Lab for several years and later for Ruch Orthotic Lab. He then served as night auditor at the Continental Regency Hotel in Peoria and last worked for Caterpillar, Inc. for 16 years until retiring. His retirement job was driving cars for the Morton Auto Auction.

Dave was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Pekin, where he served as a member and chairman of the Technology Committee for 12 years and recorded Sunday worship for radio and local TV. He also served on the church council, as a member and past moderator of the Tuesday morning Men’s group and by delivering meals to shut-ins through Grace Café. He also traveled to Juneau, Alaska as part of a mission trip to Eagle River United Methodist Camp.

He was a member of the American Iris Society and had served as president of the Illinois Region as well as webmaster. He represented the Illinois region by attending national conventions in Portland, Oregon, Newark, New Jersey and Dallas, Texas. He also was a member of the Prairie Iris Society and Sangamon Valley Iris Society.

He will be remembered as a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

His graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, March 26, 2021 at Lakeside Cemetery in Pekin. Pastor Eric N. Swanson will officiate. There will be no visitation. Arrangements are by Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, 601 North 4th Street, Pekin, Illinois 61554.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com