Marc William Kelly
October 01, 2011
- Share:
-
-
-
Service Details
Marc Kelly, 64, entered into eternal life on September 30, 2011, in Galveston, TX. Visitation will be held on Friday, October 7, 2011, at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, IA, from 9 to 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Iowa Veterans Cemetery near Van Meter, IA.
Marc was born in Elmira, NY on June 3, 1947, to Dorothy (Hopper) and Miles Kelly. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1965 and attended North Iowa Area Community College.
He was drafted into the US Marine Corps in March 1968. He served 2 years as a Marine Sergeant in Vietnam and received commendations for his distinguished service. The leadership, professional competence, discipline and patriotism he learned in the Marines never left him, as family and friends will attest.
Marc spent the remainder of his life working in the insurance industry as a Claims Supervisor. He enjoyed watching sports, playing golf, lively dialogue around politics, television and movie entertainment. His off-color jokes often brought smiles to people’s faces.
He is survived by his daughters, Melissa (John) Delaney, Waukee, IA, and Angela (Nick) Gehl, Des Moines, IA; grandchildren, Nolan and Hope Delaney and Henry Gehl; brothers, Frank (DeeDee) Kelly, Queen Creek, AZ, Roger (Karen) Kelly, Bellevue, NE, Bruce Kelly, Boone, IA; sister Margaret Turk, Creston, IA; his companion, Rene’ Herrera; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Doug, and his parents.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Marc Kelly Grandchildren College Fund c/o Veridian Credit Union.
Online condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Jim Finch
10/06/2011
Angie, Melissa: In the days of 'face book' and the new definition of 'friend'; we seem to have forgotten the true definition of friend, but I can honestly say your dad was my friend. Yes, we had our moments, often due to his strange politics but for roughly ten years we spoke almost daily and I feel that I know the two of you and yours as well as I know my own family. I am sure you know it but just as a a reminder, he was a very proud father and grandfather. I will not say that he bragged about his children, but your dad enjoyed telling me of your accomplishmnets.It also seems that his grandchildren walked and talked much earlier than their peers. His passing has brought about a great sadness in my home and in the homes of a great many people that he touched. Yes he had a gruff exterior but on the inside, his heart was made of pure gold. As you know, he helped see me through some really tough times. But that is what real friends do. Since you are familiar with his love for golf, I can relate to you an occasion when he was stayiing at my home and we had the misfortune of playing with my brother in law ( labeled by my wife as 'cheater Bill') and your dad made an errant shot, with cheater Bill offering to tell your dad 'what he did wrong'. The look on your dad's face will be forever etched in mind. I am sure that you know that look. As you can probably surmise, there are a multitude of Marc stories.Those stories will keep him alive in my memory. Hopefully there will be a time when I can tell some of them to you. To say that I will miss him does not come close to describing how I feel. He was a good man and the two of you can be proud to say he was your dad. I am sorry for two of you and your families.
Marcy Hopper Carlineo
10/06/2011
My condolences to the Marc W. Kelly families.
Marc was 3 years younger than myself and our contact was not often, family dinners, picnic's on the lawn at our Goodhue Street Haven as children. We all shared a common family relationship within the walls of the Goodhue Street Hub of activity.
My memories of Marc are from conversations between Aunt Dot and Aunt Husty (that I was permitted to hear) about the drafting of so many of our young men for the VietNam War and history of the VietNam Era that we still deal with today!!
My prayers are for Marc and his families. May the peace of knowing Marc as each of you do bring you fond memories.
love to all, Marcy Hopper Carlineo
Jobie Hopper Ames
10/06/2011
Marc was 1 year older than I am and we only had a small amount of contact as children but we were part of the "Youngest" segment of a very large and loving family.
When there was a family visit all got together at the big house on Goodhue Street and a large meal in the "old" kitchen was in order. At the end of the meal all the younger kids were sent to play while the adults had a smoke and coffee or in Grandpa's case a shot of whiskey.The older children could stay and listen.
Uncle Harley of course still being a big kid joined us and we might see model planes, or get to shoot his air rifle, check out the fish in the fountain or the pond, feed the dogs or see what he was working on in "the cellar" always an interesting place.
So my memories of Marc are of a kid my age who was banished same as me because of youth so we had a kind of comraderie even if we had little in common. Our common ground was our family and obviously the loved us all immensely. That kind of love stays. covers distances,time, and is dependable we all love each other because we are part of each other.
We are all still a big family and someday we will all be together in the same place again. Love to all.
Troy, Deb Tyler & Tate Olson
10/06/2011
Dearest Mel, John, Nolan, Hope, Angie, Nick & Henry:
We are so very sorry to hear of your loss. We will keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers. We pray God will bring you comfort during this most difficult time. You have our deepest and sincerest condolences. May God bless all of you.
All our Love,
Troy, Deb, Tyler & Tate Olson
Maynard and Diane McCall
10/05/2011
Margaret---Our condolences on the loss of your brother. Sending love to you and all of your family.
Sandra Wallace
10/05/2011
Melissa & Angela, I am so saddened by the death of Marc. He was a great &
unique character. I worked for Marc from time he first came to United Fire.
At first he would frighten me with his gruffness & temper but I learned quickly
that inside he was a kind caring man. I must say I enjoyed each day working
with him. Oh we had our differences but even after my retirement in June 09 we
kept in touch by email.
He is a great loss to everyone that ever knew him, was his friend, co-worker.
He knew Insurance & I listened so many times as he argued with Attorneys over
a case & he was always right. He really got a kick out of that.
God Bless to each of you & your families..again my heart goes out to you &
to Marc thinking he had to end his life so tragically. May he rest in peace.
Sandra Wallace
Rita Heagy
10/05/2011
Angie & Melissa:
My thoughts and prayers are with you during your time of sadness. I worked with your dad at United Fire Group and knew him to be a big hearted, caring person. He talked of you two and the grandkids often and was very proud of you all. We could always count of him to give us his opinion or to tell us a story and or a joke to liven things up. I had a lot of respect for his knowledge and his genuine concerns for the people around him and those people that he came in contact with throughout his life. I also have a lot of respect for his military service during the Vietnam War and his concern for other veterans who did fair as well as he did.
I live in the Galveston area and if there is anything I can do for you and your family, do not hesitate to let me know. I considered your dad a friend and he will always be part of my memory.