Ruth Kelly

Ruth Kelly, age 91, of Savanna, Illinois, passed away, Tuesday, June 25, 2019 at the Good Samaritan Society, Mt. Carroll, Illinois. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, July 5, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church, Savanna. A Memorial Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., prior to the service at the Church. Burial will take place in Savanna Township Cemetery. Memorials may be made in Ruth's memory to First United Methodist Church or Mercy Hospice Care.

Ruth was born January 19, 1928, the daughter of William and Mary (Lambert) Law on the family farm in Woodland Township. She attended Mt. Carroll High School, graduating with the Class of 1946. On March 8, 1947, Ruth married Robert (Bob) Kelly. They raised three children and celebrated 46 years of marriage until Bob’s death in 1994.

Ruth worked at the front counter at Withhart Market, as a receptionist at Savanna Medical Center, Personnel Director National Lock and at Woods, and sold Mary Kay Cosmetics until three years ago. Ruth was very active in the community. She was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church and UMW, the Carroll County Republican Women—where she was involved in several campaigns, the Savanna VFW Ladies Auxiliary, as a board member at Mest Manor, and enjoyed many years on the Savanna City Council. Ruth enjoyed knitting, reading, and loved attending her grandchildren’s school and sports events.

Ruth will be dearly missed by three children, Judy Orn of Champaign, Illinois, Mary (John) Irons of Savanna, and Michael (Jean) Kelly of Evergreen, Colorado; eight grandchildren, Todd (Susan) Orn, Dean Orn, Catherine (Ryan) Geister, Michele (Michael) Reagan, Kelly Jo Irons, Sarah (Saint) Wesonga, Christine (Brian) Carney, and Daniel Kelly; five great-grandchildren, R.J. Orn, William Geister, Benjamin Geister, Micah Wesonga and Lincoln Wesonga and a sister-in-law Melva Law.

Ruth is preceded in death by her husband, Bob; her parents, William and Mary; a son, Donald, at birth; a son-in-law, Michael Orn; and four brothers, Paul, Kenneth, Blendon and Herbert.