Jonathon Kelley formerly of Benton Harbor, MI transitioned on November 8, 2018, at West Bend Nursing and Rehabilitation in South Bend IN. Legacy farewell services will be held at Robbins Brothers Funeral Home, 204 S Fair Ave, Benton Harbor, MI 49022 with visitation starting at 11:00 am followed by service at 12:00 noon.
Jonathon “Joe” Kelley was born on August 28, 1932, to Nathan Kelley, Sr. and Beatrice Kelley in Forrest City, Arkansas. He transitioned to his heavenly home on November 8, 2018, at the West Bend Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in South Bend, Indiana.
He excepted Christ at an early age at the Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Mark Berry in Portageville, Missouri. In 1951, Joe, along with his parents and siblings, moved from Missouri to Benton Harbor, Michigan. There he met the love of his life, Betty Jean McGinnis. They were married November 25, 1953, and to this union, they raised a son.
Joe works at Auto Specialists in the early 5O’s until he moved to Gary, Indiana. He then worked at the Blow Knox Foundry in East Chicago, Indiana until he retired in 1986.
Joe loved boxing, playing baseball, spending time with his family, and listening to quartet singing. He even has sung in a quartet group with his sister Doll, and brothers Obe and Peter called The Junior Four. He enjoyed countless hours on the CB radio under the handle Mr. Bojangles.
He leaves to cherish his memory one son, John Kelley, four grandchildren: Tamika, Tracey, Jonathan, and Joseph, five great-grandchildren, one brother: James Kelley of Benton Harbor, MI, 5 sisters: Dorothy Groves of South Bend, IN, Annie Davis, Beatrice Kelly, Jeanette (Walter) Banks, and Jerlene Kelley-Lewis all of Lansing, MI, sister-in-law Emma (Bell) Kelley of Benton Harbor, MI, and special friend, Johnnie Duffie of Chicago, Il.
He was preceded in death by his wife Betty Jean Kelley, his parents: Nathan and Beatrice Kelley, and 5 Brothers: Obe, Peter, Nathan Jr., Charlie Sr., and Eugene.