Kelly, Edward "Chuck" (1924-2008)
KELLY, ODONNELL, BIITTNER, HOYE, PAUL
Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 5/10/2010 at 18:43:18
Edward "Chuck" Kelly - Aug. 24th, 1924 - Jan. 27, 2008
Edward K. (Chuck) Kelly, age 83, of Storm Lake, Iowa, formerly of the Varina/Fonda area, passed away after a lengthy illness on Sunday, January 27, 2008, at the Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake.
Chuck Kelly, the son of E. J. (Joe) and Hazel O’Donnell Kelly, was born near Fonda, IA, on August 24th, 1924.
During World War II he served as a navigator on a B-24 Liberator airplane with the US Army Air Corps 449th Bomber Group in the Italian Theater of Operations. He flew 51 missions and attained the rank of 1st Lieutenant.
After the war Chuck operated heavy equipment at a rock quarry near Knoxville, IA, for a year. Having obtained his pilot’s license, he also served as the company pilot. Chuck then began farming near Varina, an occupation he continued until his retirement.
He was united in marriage to Mary Darlene Biittner on February 1st, 1951.
In later years, he rekindled his love of flying and fulfilled a childhood dream by building and flying a Volksplane II airplane. He spent many happy hours flying the “Merri Dee” from the “Varina International Airport” located on his farm east of Varina. Chuck had a wonderful camaraderie with other pilots who often literally “dropped in” for a cup of coffee after landing their planes at his “airport”.
Chuck served as a township trustee, volunteer fireman, ASC committee member, and St. Columbkille school board member. He belonged to the American Legion, the Varina Rosary Makers club, and the Experimental Aircraft Association. He was also in the first group of Eucharistic ministers at St. Columbkille Church.
Chuck was preceded in death by two infant sons, a grandson, his parents, and two brothers, Louis and James. He is survived by his wife Mary of Storm Lake, sons John and wife LaVeda of Atlanta, GA, Mitch and wife Jean of Glenwood, IA, Scott and wife Lori of Tucson, AZ, a sister Mary Elaine Hoye of Albert City, IA, and a brother Francis and wife Jackie of Varina. He is also survived by seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren, sisters-in-law Colleen and husband Lanny Paul of Pocahontas, IA, Catherine Kelly of Sioux Rapids, IA, and Lydia Kelly of Omaha, NE, as well as many other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, January 31, 2008, at St. Columbkille Catholic Church in Varina, Iowa, with Fr. Thomas Hart and Fr. Paul Kelly, nephew of the deceased, concelebrating the Mass of Christian Burial. Military rites will be provided by the W. D. Steiner American Legion Post 588 of Varina with burial in St. Columbkille Cemetery in Varina. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.
Visitation will be from 5-8:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 30, 2008, at the St. Columbkille Catholic Church in Varina with the family present to greet friends. There will be a parish vigil service at 7:00 p.m. at the church that evening.
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Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home
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