Raymond Kelly

Kelly, Raymond E. > MADISON - Raymond E. Kelly, age 82, passed away on Sunday, June 17, 2007, at Belmont Nursing Home. He was born on Nov. 13, 1924, in Ellwood City, Pa., to Joseph A. and Monteray Edna (Scott) Kelly. Ray served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II in the South Pacific, Pearl Harbor and Iwo Jima and was present for the raising of the flag. He would have served in Iraq, if he was younger. Ray married Linda Kalish on Nov. 20, 1968. He drove for several trucking companies and received safe driving awards from 1944 through 1985. Ray drove from the summer of 1974, until the end of the summer of 1977 for the Alaskan pipeline. In the winter of 1974, he drove across the ice bridge at the Yukon River until the bridge was built. When the Yukon thawed, trucks were transported across on hover craft. In December 1982, Ray drove 20 miles out on the Arctic Ocean to deliver to an oil rig. He enjoyed watching movies, spending time with family and meeting with the gang at McDonalds for coffee and conversation. Ray is survived by his wife, Linda; children, Sharron Hoffman, Raymond "Jack" Kelly and Linda (Len) Kolman; stepchildren, Jonie (Warren) Schaffer, Susie Mills, Dianna Wimble, Laurie (Scott) Olson, David (Laurie) Schluter, Jeff (Diane) Schluter and Lisa (Rick) Buttler; 22 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Esther Kelly; half-sister, Tillie McNanny; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; twin brother, Rayburn Kelly; brother, Joseph A. Kelly Jr.; sister, Helen Campbell; half-sister, Celestine Morrow; and half-brother, Kenneth Rogers. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, at 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 21, 2007. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 1 p.m. until the time of the service. Rays wishes are to have his ashes spread in Alaska. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Belmont Nursing Home. A special thanks to the staff at Belmont Nursing Home, for all of their wonderful care. Gunderson East Funeral and Cremation Centers 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420 www.gundersonfh.com