Paul Kelly

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Paul Kelly, age 86, of Pinckneyville, Ill., passed away on Thursday, March 25, 2010 at 8:55 a.m. in Sparta Community Hospital, Sparta, Ill.

Paul was born on June 29, 1923 in Perry County, Ill., a son to Palmer J. and Rose Mary (Giacomo) Kelly. On May 29, 1943, he married Betty Morganthaler in Pinckneyville, Ill. and she preceded him in death on June 25, 2004. He was the oldest member of Concord Baptist Church, Rice, Ill. where he served as a deacon. He and his brother, Howard Kelly, were former co-owners of Tree-O-Lumber, Pinckneyville, Ill. Later in life, he worked as a coal miner at Amex Coal and was a member of the U.M.W.A. and had also worked as a farmer. He enjoyed farming, fishing and gardening and dearly loved his family.

Survivors include three children, Dottie R. (Tom) Bridges of Murphysboro, Ill., Anita J. (Clay) Dixon of Pinckneyville, Ill. and Jerry Paul (Patti) Kelly of Pinckneyville, Ill.; a brother, Billy J. (Mary Frances) Kelly of Pinckneyville, Ill.; a sister, Florence Lambert of Pinckneyville, Ill.; eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; a grandson, Robert D. Kelly and a brother, Howard Kelly.

Funeral services were held in Concord Baptist Church, Rice, Ill. on Monday, March 29, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. with Reverend Tom Spiller officiating. Interment was in Mueller Hill Cemetery, Pinckneyville, Ill.

Friends called at Concord Baptist Church, Rice, Ill. on Sunday from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Monday at the church from 8:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.

Memorial donations may be made to Concord Baptist Church or American Diabetes Association.

Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, Ill. was in charge of arrangements. For more information or to sign an online guest register please visit www.pyattfuneralhome.com.