Charles Ray Kelley

CREAL SPRINGS-Charles `Charlie` Ray Kelley, 79, of Creal Springs passed away at 9:30 PM, Sunday, February 27, 2005 at the V. A. Nursing Center in Marion. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 PM, Thursday, March 3, 2005 at the Blue Funeral Home in Marion with Reverend Edward `Shorty` Alsip officiating. Visitation will be after 5:00 PM, Wednesday, March 2, 2005 at the funeral home. Burial will be at Springhill Cemetery, southeast of Marion. Military rites will be held at the cemetery by VFW Post 1301 and American Legion Post 147. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois; envelopes are available at the funeral home or may be sent c/o Blue Funeral Home, PO Box 411, Marion, IL 62959. Mr. Kelley was born on May 23, 1925 in Creal Springs, Illinois to Charles and Bonnie (Adams) Kelley. He married Florence Tuminello, she preceded him in death on May 21, 1997. He later married Eva Pauline Segers on October 17, 1998, and she survives. Other survivors include son, Charles Kelley of Chicago; step-sons and their wives, Jim and Carol Segers of Creal Springs, and Greg and Dianne Segers of Marion; fourteen grandchildren; six great grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, Normal Earl and Dianne Kelley of Roswell, New Mexico; and several cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife; son, Lawrence `Pudg` Kelley; brothers, Forrest Lavern and Bobby Joe Kelley; and sister, Mary Verlene Little. Charlie was a welder and an avid race fan. He fought proudly in the United States Army during World War II. He was awarded the Victory Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Theatre Ribbon with 3 Bronze Battle Stars, Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Ribbon with 1 Bronze Battle Star, 3 Overseas Service Bars, Good Conduct Medal and a Purple Heart Medal. He was wounded on his birthday while fighting in Italy in 1945. He was loved by his family and was known for his kindness. He will be sadly missed.