Leo Kelly

Leo Kelly was a wonderful man who loved his family and adored his grandchildren. His entire life was dedicated to those he loved. From driving his grandchildren, to having breakfast with friends, his generosity was evident every day of his life.

During the 1920’s Americans were enjoying luxuries such as the automobile, telephone and radio. Women had gained the right to vote and, much to the delight of children everywhere, Welch’s introduced its famous grape jelly. In 1923, in the community of Coleman, Michigan, Frank and Bessie (Phillips) Kelly were busy introducing their youngest child, Leo to the rest of the family. Besides his parents, Leo spent his childhood surrounded by two older sisters and an brother.

As a young boy growing up in Lansing, Leo usually sported a sly little grin on his face. He and mischief were very good friends. His first job was selling popcorn, but it didn’t last very long – he ate more popcorn than he sold! He told his children about the times he and his buddies wanted to go to the movies. With money being tight, they would buy one ticket and the rest of the boys would sneak in and watch the movie – if they weren’t caught. An Italian family named De Marco lived in the neighborhood and young Leo loved being invited to dinner when they were having spaghetti. Mr. De Marco always said ok but Leo had to bring a loaf of homemade bread. Bessie always obliged and both Leo and Mr. De Marco were happy. Leo had his spaghetti and Mr. De Marco had his delicious home made bread.

As a teenager, Leo loved to play basketball. When not practicing at school, he and his friends were always on the lookout for a vacant gym to play in. If they were asked to leave, they would just start walking to find another. In fact he told his children, “Well, we had to walk everywhere”. He was a star basketball player in high school, playing on the varsity team all four years. He did play some football, but basketball was always his number one choice.

Leo graduated from Resurrection Catholic High School in 1943 and immediately joined the service. For 2 ½ years he bravely served his country as a flight engineer on a C-54 transport. He safely flew 75 missions and was awarded the Air Medal upon completion of 250 hours of operational flight in a transport over the dangerous and difficult India-China air routes. Leo was very handsome in his uniform and was quite a ladies man. He had a suave manner about him and was easy to talk to, charming any young lady he met. One of these ladies was a blind date. Leo’s cousin worked with a friend who had a friend named Mary. It was a magical evening for both Leo and Mary, and both went home to tell their parents “I met the person I am going to marry.” After dating for six months, the couple was married in the old St. Peter’s Church in Douglas, Michigan on May 21, 1949, with the reception held in the American Legion Hall in Saugatuck.

The newlyweds honeymooned in beautiful Traverse City, staying in log cabins on the bay. Leo had been in the area when the cabins were being built and had told the builder, “When I get married, we’re coming here on our honeymoon.” Just before they left, Leo’s sister reminded him to not be too cheap and take his wife out to eat at least once while they were on their honeymoon. Leo loved showing off his beautiful new wife, and did better than that. They ate out every night. This wonderful relationship would, over the next years, produce six amazing children – Kathleen, Mary Jo, Larry, Christine, Diane and Theresa. Leo’s life was truly blessed.

The Kelly family had many good times through the years. At one time they made homemade wine, and the kids had a great time smashing the grapes. They often took family camping trips up north to places like Glenn Arbor, Traverse City and Mackinac Island. After the kids were gone, Leo and Mary took a month’s trip to California to look up some relatives.

Leo had spent his working years at Parke-Davis and retired at the age of 62, and he loved his job. There is a story that during a tremendous blizzard, Leo hitched a ride on a snowmobile to get to work and finished the trek with help from the National Guard. Now that is dedication.

Faith has always been a constant in Leo’s life. A long-time member of St. Peter’s Church, he was very involved in the day-to-day workings of the church. He made coffee on Sunday mornings and helped organize and run the Bingo games used as fundraisers for the new school and other church expenses. And as a member of the finance committee, Leo made sure the money was put to good use.

After retirement, Leo found time for other endeavors. He was a great card player, enjoying games like Black Jack and Poker. After the kids were grown, he and Mary took turns with friends holding card parties at their homes. A delicious dinner was followed by hours of card-playing fun. As witnessed by his childhood, Leo also liked a small “risk” now and then, but now they were in the form of lotto tickets, especially the scratch-off kind. He would eat breakfast at the Douglas Diner, joining a group of friends. After breakfast, they would all walk across the street, buy a scratch-off ticket, and go back to see if anyone won. He liked to work in his garden, and tinker around making things. He made his own kayak and helped in building the kids’ homes. In fact, he built his own home on Meva Drive in Douglas.

Although retired, Leo was still thinking about working. He had always wanted to own his own business, like a gas station or a neighborhood bar. After much discussion with his daughters, he decided to open a health food store called Nature’s Market. The new business opened in Douglas in 1987 and later moved to Holland, where they have been in business for 18 years. He enjoyed watching the Chicago Cubs on T.V., and tapping his feet to peppy music. John Wayne war movies were favorites, along with a quirky western called “Quigley Down Under” starring Tom Selleck.

Of all the blessings in Leo’s life, the greatest were his grandchildren. He would let them mow his huge yard, and drove them to all their sporting events in his Cadillac. Leo only drove Cadillacs. And to make things even better, the grandkids were usually given a few dollars after each visit.

This loving man took care of his wife, Mary, for 10 years in their home. She has Alzheimer's and now resides at the Oakcrest Manors. Leo made every day a wonderful day for friends and family will be greatly missed by all.

Leo W. Kelly 81, of Holland died Wednesday December 8, 2004 at the Oakcrest Manor Living Center. His family includes his wife Mary of 56 years; his children: Kathleen (James) Dettling of Howell, MI, Mary Jo (Dennis) Duffey of Douglas, Larry (Olga) Kelly of Zeeland, Christine Kelly of Saugatuck, Diane(Kim) Slayer of Douglas, and Theresa(Dan) Hoerig of Ganges; 16 grandchildren; sister Virginia Moore of Holt, MI.; In-laws Ruth and Joseph Plocharczyk of Canton, MI, Donald and Helen Anderson of Holland, Jo and Phil Price of Wisconsin, and Donna Anderson of Brighton, MI; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services will be Saturday at 11:00 am at the St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 1 St. Peters Drive, with the Father Ron Turcich officiating. Burial will be in Douglas Cemetery. No visitation is scheduled. Please visit Leo’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can share a memory, sign the guest book, order flowers online or make a Memorial contribution to Hospice of Holland or S.A.D.S.