John Jerome Kelly
June 15, 2023
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Service Details
John Kelly (82) passed away June 15, 2023, after a lengthy illness. He spent his entire career in music, receiving a BA from St. Thomas Aquinas College and a MA from the University of Iowa.
While serving in the Air Force, John started the first choir at Osan Air Base in South Korea. During his career he taught high school music and band, directed a large choir in Chicago, as well as serving as director and member of several choral groups in the Des Moines area. John enjoyed the fine arts as well as composing his own music.
John is preceded in death by parents Jerry and Mildred, brother Mike, sister Peggy, nephew Adam, and great-niece Brianna. He is survived by sisters Kathy (Glenn) Custar, Mary Pat Floro, and Nancy (John Safarik) Valencia, sister-in-law Marylee Kelly, brother Bob (Roxanne Ruden) Kelly, 15 nieces and nephews, and 21 great-nieces and great-nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Covenant House (covenanthouse.org) or Food for the Poor (foodforthepoor.org).
Condolences may be expressed at: www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Dawn Hutchison
09/14/2023
I met John around 1987. He sang and co-directed Heartland Singers Community Chorus with me for a couple of years. He also got me involved with the Iowa Choral Directors Association and we attended many summer conferences together. We have kept in touch by Christmas cards for many years. He lived for music and loved music. If you find a cross- stitch of the Irish blessing, it was made by me for John. My deepest sympathies to all of Johns family.
Dawn Hutchison
Virginia Dowling
09/12/2023
John Kelly was our choir director at Collegiate Presbyterian Church in Ames. In addition to directing the Adult Choir, he also conducted our Youth Choir (including our daughter and son) and started a bell choir. He not only shared his talent with us but his compassion and kindness. We all felt we were part of his family and his mother made Christmas ornaments for us for many years! He was so proud of his family - esp. his nieces and nephews. May your memories give you comfort is this time of loss.
Sandy Rodemyer BVM
09/11/2023
I am so saddened to read of Johns death. I knew him through my classmates from Visitation. We SJA girls and Dowling guys always had great fun.
My sympathy to his family, especially to Bob and Roxanne.
Diana King Jensen
09/11/2023
I was so sorry to read about Johns passing. I do remember the times I had seen him at the family home when I was younger and he always took time to talk, ask how I was. The family is in my thoughts and prayers.