Van Kelly Jr. 89, Rochester, Indiana, passed away at 3:00 P.M. Sunday January 15, 2017 at Signature HealthCare, Port Charlotte, Florida.

He was born December 30, 1927 in Camargo, Kentucky, the son of Van and Helen (Arthur) Kelly Sr. He spent his childhood working on the family farm in Mount Sterling, Kentucky.  On December 21, 1946 at the First Presbyterian Church in Rochester, he married Helen J. Nickell. She preceded him in death on October 7, 2008.

After settling in Rochester, Indiana, he spent twenty years distributing beer and freight for his boss and dear friend, Ben Daulton, at the Rochester City Dray. He then worked for nineteen years for Camcar/Textron retiring in 1989. Van worked hard and played hard. An avid outdoorsman, Van loved to hunt and fish, whether it was moose in Canada, morels in Michigan, small game in Fulton County or sunshine in Florida.  A dedicated fisherman, he spent the better part of his retirement years fishing Lake Manitou, surrounding lakes and farm ponds. He loved sharing the”catch” with family and friends, hosting countless fish fries in his back yard.

Van was an active member in the community, having been a member of the Rochester Lions Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, Elks Lodge, American Legion, Eagles Lodge and the Moose Lodge. He had attended the First Christian Church and had coached Little League baseball for many years, having helped build the little league fields in the middle 1950’s. A huge sports fan, Van enjoyed following all sports, but especially enjoyed following his grandchildren and great grandchildren in all of their sporting events. His family provided his biggest joy in life.

Survivors include his daughter, Barbara Buckingham, Lake Suzy, Florida, son, Brad and wife Brenda Kelly, Rochester, Indiana, grandchildren, Megan (Buckingham) and husband Luke Hill, Beaverton, Oregon, Ben and wife Sarah Daulton, Rochester, Indiana, Gracie (Kelly) and husband Christopher Prater, Warsaw, Indiana, great grandchildren, Wilson Daulton, Jessica Daulton and Michael Daulton, all of Rochester, Indiana, McKenzie Baker, Florida, Landon and Sadie Hill, both of Beaverton, Oregon, several nieces, nephews and many special friends he had made over the years. He was preceded in death by his parents, granddaughter, Amy Helen Daulton, brothers, J.P. Kelly, Richard “Dick” Kelly, Cecil Kelly, Thomas “Tommy” Kelly, Henry Kelly, Morton “Doc” Kelly and sister, Margaret Snider.

Memorial services will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. Saturday January 28, 2017 at Zimmerman Bros. Funeral Home, Rochester, Indiana with Rev. Mike Van Heyningen officiating. Friends may visit from 4-8 P.M. Friday January 27, 2017 at the funeral home and one hour prior to service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Phil Daulton Memorial Youth Fund. Online contributions may be expressed at www.zimmermanbrosfh.com

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