Obituary of Vernon Jerome Kelly

A Memorial Gathering for Vernon Jerome Kelly of Winfield, MO will be held from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Friday, January 22, 2016 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home near Winfield. Military Honors will be held at 7:00 p.m. and a Masonic Memorial Service will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Funeral Home. Mr. Kelly, 96, passed away Monday night, January 18, 2016 at Delmar Gardens on the Green in Chesterfield, MO. Born August 24, 1919 in Old Monroe, MO, he was the son of Curt and Addie Callaway Kelly. Vernon was a 1939 graduate of Winfield High School. He served his country in the United States Army from October, 1941 until he was honorably discharged in October, 1945. During his service, Vernon served in the Pacific Theatre and was on Iwo Jima at the end of the War. Following the War, Vernon went to The Merchant Marine Training Station in St. Petersburg, FL, graduating in April, 1947. His Merchant Marine career was short-lived after he told Dorothy Powelson he was shipping out to Japan. Upon hearing this news, Dorothy told him he was not going to Japan, but instead coming home to marry her; so he did. Vernon was united in marriage on December 26, 1947 in Foley, MO to Dorothy Powelson. This union was blessed with one son, Dale. Vernon owned and operated Kelly’s Shell Service for many years, retiring in 1986. He was a charter member of the American Legion Post #420 in Old Monroe and a 50 year member of Lincoln County Lodge #682 AF&AM in Winfield. He was preceded in death by his parents, Curt and Addie Kelly; his brother, Leora Kelly; and his beloved wife, Dorothy Kelly. Survivors include his son, Dale Kelly and his wife, Janice, of Foristell, MO; two grandsons: Curt Kelly and his wife, Erin, of O’Fallon, MO and Drew Kelly and his wife, Sarah, of Wentzville, MO; and three great-grandchildren: Brooklyn, Amelia Grace and Lincoln. Vernon also leaves two sisters-in-law: Joan Suddarth and her husband, Bob, of Elsberry, MO and Madeline Kelly of Old Monroe; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Vernon’s family would like to thank all the people of Winfield, Old Monroe and Lincoln County who befriended Vernon and helped him throughout the years. Memorials may be made to American Legion Post #420 (or) WINCO in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, 3838 East Highway 47, P.O. Box 253, Winfield, MO 63389.