Henry Kelley

Henry Allen Kelley, age 69, of Waukee, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, December 4, 2018 at the St. Lucas Care Center in Faribault, Minnesota. A celebration of Henry’s life will be held at the Paton Community Center, 201 South Park Street, Paton, Iowa 50217. The service will begin at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 15, 2018. Interment will be at the Dawson Township Cemetery.

Henry Allen, the son of Henry Darle and Marian Elizabeth (Delp) Kelley, was born on July 23, 1949 in Fort Dodge, Iowa.  He graduated from Adel High School with the class of 1967. He earned his associate’s degree from Southwestern Community College in Creston, Iowa, where he also played baseball. He briefly attended the University of Iowa and went to work with his father for 17 years at Kelley Oil Company in Paton, Iowa. While he lived in Paton, he enjoyed playing recreational fastpitch and slowpitch softball.

Henry went on to work for Lift Truck Service and Hupp Toyota Lift in Ankeny, Iowa as a forklift mechanic. Henry took pride in his work and was capable of fixing anything. He particularly loved working on motorcycles. Henry raced motorcycles for 47 years at hillclimbs throughout the country, and he placed numerous times at the American Motorcyclist Association amateur national championships.

Henry married Marilyn Jean Clove on April 11, 1986, and they made their home in Waukee, Iowa. They raised two children together, Kelsey Rae and Henry Joseph. Henry was a devoted husband and father. He was strong in body, spirit, and commitment. Henry never missed an opportunity to teach his children the importance of integrity, hard work, kindness, and resilience. Henry will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

Henry is survived by his wife, Marilyn Clove-Kelley of Waukee, Iowa; his daughter, Kelsey Kelley (Jason Steck Kelley) of Coon Rapids, Minnesota; his son, Henry Joseph Kelley of Faribault, Minnesota; and numerous relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.