Robert Edward Kelly, Sr., 91, formerly of Chesterton, passed away August 11,
2009 at his home in Canton, Ga., where he lived since Nov. 2006.
He was born June 30, 1918 in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of Luther Francis and
Eda (Simmons) Kelly.
In November 1939 he married Helen Emelia Carlson and they celebrated their
66th anniversary just before her death in December 2005.
He is survived by children, Jacqueline (Billy) Evans of Jasper, Ga., Robert
E. (Nancy) Kelly, Jr., of Melbourne, Fla. and Terry L. Kelly of South Bend;
a sister Ruth (Gerald) Creager, of Murrieta, Calif; five grandchildren and
three great-grandchildren.
The Kelly family moved to Chesterton when Robert was a teen. He graduated
from Chesterton High School, where he met his future wife Helen. As Major
Kelly, he retired from the U.S. Army in 1964 after 20 years. He served in
Europe during WWII where he earned a Field Commission as well as the Bronze
Star and other commendations. He attended the Army Language School in
Monterey, Calif, where he studied Mandarin Chinese and then went to Korea in
1951 where he served as an interpreter and interrogator in the Repatriation
Trials. He was next stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C. in the 525th Military
Intelligence and in 1957 went to Oberursel/Taunus, Germany with the 513th
Military Intelligence. When he returned to the states, he worked briefly in
the Pentagon before going to Redstone Arsenal in Ala. where he had the
privilege of working with Dr. Werner Von Braun.
He and his family moved back to Chesterton in 1954, and he worked for McGill
Manufacturing in Valparaiso until he retired from that position in 1981.
Bob was elected to the office of Chesterton’s town Judge for four
consecutive terms from 1976 until 1992.
He was a devoted husband, a loyal American and a proud citizen of
Chesterton. He loved to draw and paint, he serenaded Helen on their electric
organ and he was a very good cook. He loved golf, fishing and was a
crossword puzzle addict. He had a wonderful life and enjoyed it to the
fullest.
A memorial service, Pastor Phil Burke officiating, will be at 2 p.m.
Saturday, September 19, 2009 at White-Love Funeral Home, 525 S. 2nd St.,
Chesterton. Interment will be at Chesterton Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Saturday from 1 p.m. until time of service
at 2 p.m. For information, please call White-Love Funeral Home, 926-1309.