Leland R. Kelley Obituary (1923

Henry: Leland R. Kelley, 94, of Henry, passed away Monday April 23, 2018, 11:33 pm at his home in Henry. Visitation will be Saturday April 28, 2018 from 9:30 am to 11:00 am at Calvert & Johnson Memorial Home, 513 Carroll St. Henry. A Masonic Service will be held at 10:30 am. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 am. The Rev. Will Meachum will officiate. Burial will follow at Henry Cemetery, where full military rites will be accorded by the Henry American Legion. Memorials may be made to the Baby Fold, Normal, IL. Leland was born September 7, 1923 in rural Henry, IL to Thomas Ransom and Mabel Rhua (Sutton) Kelly. He married Marjorie Elinor Shafer on December 3, 1945 at the Henry United Methodist Church in Henry. She preceded him in death on August 24, 2013. Surviving is one daughter, Arlene (Terry) Koch, of Henry, grandchildren, Graham Koch, Katie (Don) Adams Weaver, Lauren (Fiance Scott) Perez, Hanna (Zachary) Smith, great grandchildren, Isaac, Jensen and Griffin Koch, Sophia Smith and Josephine Rhua Smith, (on the way). His daughter, Linda, two brothers, Ronald and Clarence Kelley, and sister, Mildred Kelley, preceded him in death. Leland had served his county during WWII in the Army Air Corp.1943-1945. Lee and Arlene went on the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. in 2014. He truly enjoyed this trip and when it came to mail call, it took him weeks to read it all. So many wrote their letters of appreciation for his service. This trip was so special for all that went. He was employed at Hunt Lumber Yard for over 30 years in Henry until his retirement. This company was responsible for many of the new homes built in Henry. It was said he could build anything and fix any problem. He was a 67 year member of the Mason Lodge #119 in Henry, holding several offices such as the Deputy Grand Master and the past Master of lodge #119 in Henry. He was an honorary member of the Magnolia lodge #103 and the Wenona lodge 344. These two lodges eventually merged together as well as the Lacon lodge #61 and the Henry Lodge. It was said that he was an honorary member of all the lodges in the area. He was honored for his longevity at the past Deputy Grand Masters annual dinners in Dixon, Illinois as being the oldest living member. He attended the annual Grand Lodge meetings in Springfield for many years and I am told the stories are many from these annual events. Lee was a master story teller. His attention to detail was like non-other. His stories could make you laugh, cry or educate you about a certain event in history that he lived through. It was an honor to learn from him. Family was the most important part of his life. He enjoyed his time with his family and loved them dearly. He was a great influence in their lives.