Mary L. Kelley

Mary L. Kelley, age 89, of Savanna, Illinois, passed away Monday, February 5, 2018 at Big Meadows Nursing Home, Savanna. A Funeral Mass will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 10, 2018 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Burial will take place in St. John’s Catholic Cemetery, Savanna. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the Mass from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at the Church. Memorials may be given for charity in Mary’s honor.

Mary was born January 9, 1929, in Savanna, Illinois, the daughter of Carl and Ella (Bowers) Orto. She graduated from Savanna High School with the Class of 1947. On August 21, 1949, Mary married James Kelley. They celebrated 49 years of marriage and raised three children, Steven, David and Joan. James passed away September 27, 1998.

Mary was a homemaker and cherished taking care of her family. She also worked as a telephone operator. She owned and operated Kelley’s Toyland, and she worked at the Coast-to-Coast Hardware Store and the Gambles Store in Savanna. She was a member of the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and the Church Choir. She enjoyed gardening, canning, and freezing. She especially loved spending quality time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mary will be dearly missed by her son, David (Mary Jo) Kelley of Savanna, Illinois; her daughter, Joan (Steve) Sisler of Savanna, Illinois; daughter-in-law, Pat Kelley of Thomson; seven grandchildren, Megan (Jason) Hille, Alaina (Andrew) Klippert, Bethany (Scott) Sarazin, Michael (Jamie) Sisler, David (Stephanie) Kelley, Katherine (Phil) Grant and Jim (Kelly) Kelley; and eight great-grandchildren, Alivia, Anika, Jacob, Jenna, Jossalyn, Isla, Avery and Hunter. Mary is preceded in death by her husband, James; one son, Steven Kelley in 2016; her parents Carl and Ella, and a brother Carl.