Vincent “Kelly” Donald Kelly 85 of Keosauqua passed away at 4:47PM Thursday May 11, 2022 at his home. In accordance with his wishes his body has been cremated and a private burial of cremains in Fellows Cemetery will be at a later date. Memorials in Kelly’s honor may be directed to friends of Lacey State Park and may be mailed to the family at 1601 8th St Keosauqua, IA 52565.
Kelly was born on February 22, 1937 in Bayfield, WI to Dale and Nora Marie Johnson Kelly. He lived in Bayfield as a child and left for California at the age of 12 where he worked in a diamond mine until there was an explosion and he was severely injured and sent to Boston for medical care. After he recovered, he moved to Clinton Iowa and started working construction. During this time he worked on the bridge in Keosauqua and met Caroline B. House And they were married on November 7, 1987 in Keosauqua. During his years working construction he was able to earn his GED. Kelly continued to work construction until he was 80 years old, he was the hardest working man you would ever know, he loved his family and cherished every moment he spent with them. He was an avid NASCAR fan, loved gambling, his time spent at Tillie’s and trips out to the State Park for Caroline “Little Hillbilly” as he liked to call her.
Left to cherish his memory are two sons, Gerald Himes (Bev) of Douds and Jeff Himes (Amanda) of Douds, a daughter, Peggy Chambers of Keosauqua, a cousin, Pudge of Bayfield, WI, several brothers and sisters, 8 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren and many other family and friends.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Caroline and a son, Rick Himes.
