David W. Kelly's Obituary
David W. Kelly, age 72, of Pinckneyville, IL, passed away on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, in Mercy Hospital, St. Louis, MO.
David was born on August 13, 1952, at Marshall Browning Hospital in DuQuoin, IL, a son to Billy J. and Mary Frances (Bolinski) Kelly. On June 22, 1990, he married Shirley Mann and she survives. David worked for Kelly's Sawmill, Rice Ford, as well as 15 years at Mobile Structures until he retired, and he and Shirley opened their daycare.
Dave spent the majority of his life serving his community at the Pinckneyville Fire Department for 26 years, with half of that time spent as the assistant Fire Chief. He would also fill in with the Pinckneyville Ambulance Service. In 1992, Dave and Shirley opened their daycare, Wee Care Daycare Home and would remain open for 26 years. He spent his days caring and loving kids of all ages, as well as taking in hundreds of foster kids over the years. He was passionate about caring for kids who had no one to love them but more than anything, he loved his family. Dave enjoyed deer hunting and fishing with his family. He loved camping trips and doing anything outdoors as long as his family was by his side.
Survivors include his loving wife of 34 years, Shirley Kelly of Pinckneyville, IL; his children, Jeramy (Angie) Kelly of Pinckneyville, IL and Jacqueline "Jaci" Kelly of Percy, IL, Andrew P. Kelly of Denver, CO; bonus daughter, Brittany (Steven Kiem) Schimpf of Pinckneyville, IL; his siblings, Dan (Marilyn) Kelly in Grand Junction, CO, Mark Kelly of Pinckneyville, IL, Karen (Roger) Heape of Pinckneyville, IL, Kevin (Lori) Kelly of Pinckneyville, IL, John (Mary) Mann of Pinckneyville, IL, Barb (Randy) Carter of McCoy, CO; eleven grandchildren, Samantha (Cedrick II) Neal of Biloxi, MS, Elijah Kelly of Percy, IL, Devon (Miranda) Kelly of Okawville, IL, Tyson (Jessica) Kelly of Carbondale, IL, Sophia Kelly of Pinckneyville, IL, Namen Schimpf of Pinckneyville, IL, Madison Middleton of Orient, IL, Abigail Quillman of Malden, MO, Zoey Frazer of DuQuoin, IL, Avori Frazer of Pinckneyville, IL, and Azriella Kiem coming in May; ten great-grandchildren, Willow, Wrenly, and Cedrick III Neal, Kayce Kelly, Jackson Kelly, Ozark David Lee, Hazel and Hallie Valentine, and Henry and Pierce Gabert; bonus kids, Stephanie Tucker and Thomas Cagle; several bonus great-grandchildren, Jocelynn Graves, London Neal, Maverick Quillman, Madison, Kristen, and Jackson Althoff; one Goddaughter, Kristina Jeffers; one Godson, Christopher Kelly; one special aunt, Patty Robertson; as well as many loving nieces, nephews, and more foster kids than we could ever possibly count!
Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Billy J. and Mary Frances Kelly; his in-laws, Thomas and Billie Mann; bonus son, Patrick Schimpf; great-grandson, Ocean Wayne; godparents/grandparents Felix and Antonilla Bolinski; and his beloved dog, Hooch.
Funeral services will be held at Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, IL on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., with Chris Kelly officiating. It was Dave's wishes to be cremated after the service.
Visitation will be at Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, IL on Friday from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., and on Saturday morning from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.
Memorial donations may be made to Perry County Humane Society or Caring and Sharing Scholarship Fund.
Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, IL has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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