Obituary of Marvin Earl Kelly

Marvin Earl Kelly was born at home in Anderson, Indiana, on August 6, 1933. He was the fifth and youngest child of Fred G. and Pearl (Schultz) Kelly. As a child, he attended Roosevelt Elementary. His family moved to Huntsville where Marvin began attending Pendleton schools. While in high school, Marvin was a drummer in the band. Upon graduation in 1951, he helped his brother Dale deliver milk and worked at Delco Remy before joining the Army where he served in Germany as a member of the field artillery battalion working with the atomic cannon from 1952-54. When he returned to the states, he used his G.I. bill to briefly attend Valparaiso University. He decided the college life was not for him, and thus, he moved home where he returned to work at Delco.

One day, he walked into Tanke’s Drug Store in Pendleton where he met his future wife, Jill Moore. They eloped on August 16, 1957, and their marriage lasted until the moment he passed at 5:25 a.m. on December 24, 2023.

Marvin and Jill settled in Pendleton, Indiana, and soon welcomed three children. Marvin was active in his community, serving in the early days of the Pendleton Little League Board. He also delved into politics by serving twelve years on the Pendleton Town Board – two of these years as President. It was during his tenure as town board president that he acquired the nickname of Mayor Marv. He also served on the board of the Fall Creek Regional Waste District. In 1988, he retired from Delco Remy. His time was then spent playing weekly golf or card games with his buddies. Following Jill’s retirement in 2001, the couple had a home built in North Port, Florida, and moved in February 2002. While in North Port, Marvin was a member of the North Port Community United Church of Christ. He loved the sunshine and warmth of Florida, and he especially enjoyed the fact that he no longer needed to shovel snow.

Marvin was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings: Martha (Eugene) Reed, Fred (Madonna) Kelly, Dale, and Lloyd, as well as many great friends.

He is survived by his daughter Cheryl and her children Brock and Erin Williamson, Chase Williamson and his daughter, Waverly, and Paige Williamson and her daughter Harper Huff. He is also survived by son Garry and Shannon Kelly and their children Ryan and Lauren Elliott, Sasha Kelly and her son Ezra, Amanda Kelly and her sons Landon and Jasper McIntire He is also survived by son Jerry and Christin Kelly and their children Jerin and Tiffany Kelly and their daughter Pierce and daughter Justis and James King and their daughters Juniper and Joplin. Other survivors include sisters-in-law Georgia and Shirley, and numerous beloved nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his breakfast buddies, John McKean, Bill Hudder, and David Sanford, along with many church friends. He is also survived by his wife’s five siblings, their spouses and families and his favorite fur friends, Delroy, Morrie, and Socks. 

The family would like to thank Tidewell Hospice House in Port Charlotte for the compassionate and loving care he received during his week’s stay. Donations in Marvin’s name could be made to either the Tidewell Foundation at 3550 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Florida 34239, or to the North Port Community United Church of Christ at 3450 S. Biscayne Drive, North Port, Florida 34287.

Interment of Marvin’s cremains will take place at Sarasota National Cemetery 9810 State Road 72, Sarasota, Florida 34241 on Thursday, January 4^th, 2024, at 10:00AM.