In Memory Of
John H. Kelley
1930
2014
John H. Kelley
June 6, 1930 — October 24, 2014
John Howerth Kelley
Command Sergeant Major John Howerth Kelley, (retired), known as Jack to his family, was born in Greeley, Colorado on June 6, 1930 to James H. and Blanche (Kyle) Kelley, and entered into rest October 24, 2014, at his home in Junction City, Kansas surrounded by his family.
He grew up in Evans, CO. He lived in Hammond, OK during his middle school years, then lived in Cheyenne, WY., graduating from Cheyenne High School in 1948.
He married Hazel Schwarz in 1953 and had 3 daughters, Shonna, Mellodee and Kimberlee. They divorced and he went back into the U.S. Army.
John had a 30 year career , which took him to far off duty stations including Germany, Indonesia, Korea, Viet Nam, and many Forts in the U.S. While in Germany he met and married, Hildegard Hase. Most people knew her as "Kelley". Their marriage lasted 50 years , until her death in 2013. They settled in Milford, retiring from the Army at Fort Riley. before moving to Junction City.
He loved golf, hunting, fishing, and any type of sport that had the word "ball" in it. He was a 20 year member of Geary Rehab here in town, and was one of the biggest cheerleaders for anyone who came in and"moaned" about how hard rehab was. His encouragement helped people get through the tough workouts. He supported local basketball and volleyball teams, and followed K-State and KU in sports.
John is survived by daughter Shonna Close, husband, Brent; their daughters, Kelley Watson and Amanda Watson; son, Adam Close; and Amanda's daughter Jada Roper(John's first great-grand-daughter) all of Milpitas, CA: daughter Mellodee Davis of Junction City, KS; her children, Carl John and April Davis of Willets, CA; Laura Davis of Oakland, CA; and Diana Cabral and her husband Jon of Hayward, CA.: daughter Kimberlee Kelley of San Jose, CA, her son Jacob Juan Mercado, his wife Debra, and newest great-grandson, Ezekial McCovey Mercado: His sister, Patty Brophy of Yuma, CO. and many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
John was preceeded in death by his parents, James H.and Blanche Kelley. Hildegard M. Kelley, Hazel A. Schwarz Steadman, and brother-in-law, Paul Brophy.
There will be a Memorial Ceremony at the Kansas Veterans' Cemetery Fort Riley at Manhattan, KS. on Tuesday, October 28, 2014 at 10 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Geary Community Hospital Home Health & Hospice, 1310 W. Ash Street, Junction City, KS 66441.
Command Sergeant Major John Howerth Kelley, (retired), known as Jack to his family, was born in Greeley, Colorado on June 6, 1930 to James H. and Blanche (Kyle) Kelley, and entered into rest October 24, 2014, at his home in Junction City, Kansas surrounded by his family.
He grew up in Evans, CO. He lived in Hammond, OK during his middle school years, then lived in Cheyenne, WY., graduating from Cheyenne High School in 1948.
He married Hazel Schwarz in 1953 and had 3 daughters, Shonna, Mellodee and Kimberlee. They divorced and he went back into the U.S. Army.
John had a 30 year career , which took him to far off duty stations including Germany, Indonesia, Korea, Viet Nam, and many Forts in the U.S. While in Germany he met and married, Hildegard Hase. Most people knew her as "Kelley". Their marriage lasted 50 years , until her death in 2013. They settled in Milford, retiring from the Army at Fort Riley. before moving to Junction City.
He loved golf, hunting, fishing, and any type of sport that had the word "ball" in it. He was a 20 year member of Geary Rehab here in town, and was one of the biggest cheerleaders for anyone who came in and"moaned" about how hard rehab was. His encouragement helped people get through the tough workouts. He supported local basketball and volleyball teams, and followed K-State and KU in sports.
John is survived by daughter Shonna Close, husband, Brent; their daughters, Kelley Watson and Amanda Watson; son, Adam Close; and Amanda's daughter Jada Roper(John's first great-grand-daughter) all of Milpitas, CA: daughter Mellodee Davis of Junction City, KS; her children, Carl John and April Davis of Willets, CA; Laura Davis of Oakland, CA; and Diana Cabral and her husband Jon of Hayward, CA.: daughter Kimberlee Kelley of San Jose, CA, her son Jacob Juan Mercado, his wife Debra, and newest great-grandson, Ezekial McCovey Mercado: His sister, Patty Brophy of Yuma, CO. and many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
John was preceeded in death by his parents, James H.and Blanche Kelley. Hildegard M. Kelley, Hazel A. Schwarz Steadman, and brother-in-law, Paul Brophy.
There will be a Memorial Ceremony at the Kansas Veterans' Cemetery Fort Riley at Manhattan, KS. on Tuesday, October 28, 2014 at 10 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Geary Community Hospital Home Health & Hospice, 1310 W. Ash Street, Junction City, KS 66441.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John H. Kelley, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Service
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Starts at 10:00 am (Central time)
Kansas Veterans' Cemetery at Ft
Guestbook
Visits: 0
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors