Obituary of Joseph P. Kelly

Joseph Patrick Kelly, 87, of Saginaw, Michigan, died at Hoyt Nursing and Rehab Center on January 10, 2016. He was born January 13, 1928, in Terre Haute, Indiana to John F. Kelly and Katharine Walsh Kelly. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Geraldine Kirchman Kelly; five children, Christine Kelly-Bentgen and her husband Bernard of Dexter, MI, Jerome Kelly and his wife Mary of Indianapolis, IN, Colleen Sanders and her husband Richard of Rochester Hills, MI, Thomas Kelly and his husband Gregory Reardon of New York, NY, and William Kelly of Ann Arbor, MI; four step-children, Sarge Harvey and his wife Renee of Saginaw, Deenie Kelly and her husband Timothy of Saginaw, William Harvey and his wife Sue of Traverse City, MI, and John Harvey and his wife Dana of Traverse City; 17 grandchildren; and 7 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his sisters-in-law, Patricia Kelly of Terre Haute, Jane Kelly of Southern Pines, NC; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife of 31 years, Dorothy Paitson Kelly; his parents; and four brothers, Richard W. Kelly, James M. Kelly, Thomas L. Kelly and William R. Kelly. Joe graduated from Terre Haute Wiley High School in 1946. He attended the University of Notre Dame and received Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Indiana State University. He spent thirty years in the road construction business, serving as President of Bituminous Materials of Michigan, and on the board of directors of Walsh & Kelly, Inc., and Wabash Valley Asphalt Co. He was a faithful member of St. Stephen's Parish, and served on the board of directors of St. Mary's Hospital Foundation. Joe's family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Jon Reardon and the staff of Hoyt Nursing and Rehab Centre for all of their support and comfort throughout the years. We will all miss Joe's unique dancing style, generosity, humor, and clever turn of a phrase or lyric, and constant celebration of life. Joe will always have a lot of "Sunday in His Soul". FUNERAL: A funeral liturgy for Joe will be held at 4:00 p.m. Friday, January 15, 2016 at St. Dominic Catholic Church, St. Stephen site, 1310 Malzhan St., Saginaw, MI 48602. Rev. Fr. Steven M. Gavit will officiate. Private burial will be at St. Andrew Cemetery. VISITATION: Friends are welcome to visit with the family on Thursday, January 14, 2016 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Deisler Funeral Home, 2233 Hemmeter Rd. (off State). Joe will lie in state at the church on Friday from 3:00 p.m. until the time of Mass. MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a memorial contribution to St. Mary's Foundation or the Field Neurosciences Institute. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at the funeral home, church or through www.DeislerFuneralHome.com