A funeral will be held Tuesday, December 10, 2024 for 76-year-old Ronald L. Kelley of Hecker, Illinois, who passed away Friday, December 6, 2024 at Mercy Hospital South, St. Louis, Missouri.
He was born March 31, 1948 in Red Bud, Ill. to the William R. and Rita M. (nee Wittenauer) Kelley who both preceded him in death.
Ron married Mary Embrich on April 16, 1971 at St. Augustine of Canterbury in Hecker, Illinois; she survives.
He is also survived by three children: Cynthia (James) Notter, Cathleen (Don) Dehne, and Michael Kelley (Carrie Speiser) eight grandchildren: Ashley Notter, Matthew Notter, Caitlin Dehne, Meagan Dehne, Michael Kelley Jr, Alaina Kelley, Lucas Kelley, and Logan Kelley; a step granddaughter: Amelia Bronson; four siblings: Don (Brenda) Kelley, Marylou (Don) Polacek, Alice (Dennis) Murray, and Evelyn (Mark) Marquardt; five brothers and sisters-in-law: Jim Embrich, Ken (Martha) Embrich, Bro. Daniel Embrich, Mel Embrich, and Rita (Bryan) Herbert; two uncles and aunt: Walter and Millie Wittenauer, and Jim Devine; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was also preceded in death by his in-laws: Adam and Emily (nee Chagala) Embrich, a sister-in-law: Sr. Annette Embrich, and a nephew: Jason Kelley.
Ron earned a certificate in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois, Urbana. He then worked on the Columbia Hill project with IDOT before starting at Quality Stone Quarry Company. Later, he earned his Associate of Science Degree in Drafting and worked in that field for the National Mine Service.
Ron was a member of St. Augustine of Canterbury in Hecker, Illinois. He was an avid sportsman over the years, even with his disabilities. He loved to camp, explore the outdoors, play pinochle and euchre, and read or watch westerns.
Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Monday and 9-10 a.m. Tuesday at the Pechacek Funeral Home in Red Bud, Illinois.
A funeral for 76-year-old Ronald L. Kelley of Hecker, Illinois will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at the Pechacek Funeral Home in Red Bud, Illinois. Fr. John Kizhakedan will officiate.
Interment will be in the St. Augustine of Canterbury Cemetery in Hecker, Illinois.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made in Ron’s memory to the Sesser-Valier Outdoorsmen Club (host to Rend Lake Handicap Hunt), the Hecker Sportsman Club, or the American Cancer Society